Helen Ward is excited at the prospect of making her 100th international appearance
Venue: Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli Date: Friday, 8 April Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC Two Wales and the BBC Sport website, full commentary on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

Helen Ward is honoured at the prospect of becoming the latest member of Wales' 100 cap club, but the country's record scorer is happy to admit she never expected to reach this milestone.

For the past few years, Ward has been concerned that she would not get to finish her career on her own terms.

Ward feared her career was over because she was unable to play or train.

She stands on the verge of a fairy-tale finish as Wales chases a first appearance at a major women's tournament.

It would mean everything if we qualified for the World Cup. It has to be the highest point.

Watch some of the best bit of action from Helen Ward's Wales career

The honour of reaching 100 caps

Having made her Wales debut in 2008 - scoring in a win over Luxembourg - Ward's career has bridged the amateur and professional eras of women's football.

When Covid-19 restrictions came into force, she was unable to play or train for much of the time, a time when she admitted she was considering retirement.

She is only one cap away from reaching 100, but she is surprised to still be playing.

I have had doubts all the time. Ask Razza how many times he has sat in our room and retired, it would add up to a lot of times.

Covid was difficult. I would have regretted ending my career if I had retired during the second big lockdown.

I am happy to still be around.

The current professional environment with the national team is completely different from her earlier days.

She said that Tucks Adrian Tucker was part time when she made her debut.

We have always been asking for more. Many of us have been playing the whole time because each manager has built on the work of their predecessor.

A lot of our success is down to that. We have had some dips and bad moments, but Wales women's football has been on an upward curve for my entire career.

Helen Ward
Helen Ward, who represented England at under-23 level and has played for Women's Super League giants Arsenal and Chelsea, has scored 44 Wales goals

Playing football after starting a family

Being Wales top scorer and one of the most selected players in Welsh football history is a giant accolade, but it is even more remarkable that Ward has had two children during her career.

She said that she never thought she would continue playing after starting a family.

It is difficult because you have to make sure the kids are looked after first.

The older they are, the more I appreciate having them around.

There was a video of a goal I scored at the weekend and I could see my little boy jumping up in the picture.

I have watched it many times to see his reaction more than the goal. Those moments are amazing, and something I never thought possible.

When Ward had her children, there was no maternity support for players written into contracts, something that only came into the game in England in January 2022.

Professional clubs have to offer that now. I did not have any of those benefits.

It is great that I and other mothers still play, we have been the ones to drive change.

My team-mates can have a family and not worry about their future. They can have a family when it's right for them, but not when it's not for their football club.

I have been fortunate in the way my career has gone and I am grateful for every step I have been able to take.

Helen Ward
Wales defender Hayley Ladd described Helen Ward as "the mum of the group" when paying tribute to her Wales team-mate in her BBC column

The ultimate aim

Ward is set to win her 100th cap in either the home game against France on Friday or the away game against France on Tuesday.

Ward's ultimate goal is to represent Wales at a major tournament. The World Cup in Australia and New Zealand is the last realistic chance for a player who is 36 this month.

The aim is to get there and compete.

We have learned a lot while building. Our performances against top teams have been very encouraging, and we have a lot more in us than we thought.

The squad is in a good place.