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Caerphilly’s Bethan Dainton will be looking to make history and become the first Welsh woman to win a Rugby League Challenge Cup this year.
Dainton, 34, plays for Leeds Rhinos, who take on Wigan Warriors at Headingley on Sunday, July 23.
Facing Dainton will be her Wales teammate Carys Marsh, who plays for Wigan.
The winner will make the trip to Wembley to face the victor of the other semi-final clash, which is between St Helens and York Valkyrie.
A Welsh international has been part of a men’s Rugby League Challenge Cup winning side on more than 100 occasions, with many more runners-up.
Wales has also had a Wheelchair Challenge Cup winner in Jodie Boyd-Ward – but if either Dainton or Marsh can win the competition, they would be the first ever Welsh winner of the women’s version.
Dainton has a background in CrossFit, football and athletics and has represented Wales on the track and in cross country.
She began playing rugby union with Newport Gwent Dragons in 2015 and went on to represent Bristol Bears and Harlequins, as well as the Army and UK Armed Forces sides.
Dainton won eight caps for Wales and and played for the Barbarians before switching codes to league with the Army in 2021.
She won two caps for Wales in rugby league in 2022 and signed for Leeds ahead of the 2023 season.
Ahead of the semi-final, Dainton said: “We’re really looking forward to playing at Headingley. We’ve been there a couple of times now and it’s great playing at the big grounds as we don’t often get to do that.”
Leeds thumped Wigan 52-0 the last time the teams met, but Dainton has urged caution.
“I don’t think the scoreline reflected the last game,” she said. “The first 40 minutes were very tough, they have a great team with really strong forwards and speedy backs.
“Wigan are growing as a team and the 9s tournament showed the growth and talent that they have in the squad. We will need to stick to our processes and concentrate on ourselves and hopefully, we can deliver an 80-minute performance.
“It’s all to play for, anything can happen in knock-out rugby.”
Dainton’s career so far has seen her represent Wales at two Six Nations campaigns in union. However, reaching Wembley would see her playing on her biggest stage yet.
“Wembley is the national stadium and it’s so historic, so to see women’s rugby league being showcased on the biggest stage and getting the recognition it deserve is incredible,” she said.
“It shows how far the game has come, to be given a platform and hopefully inspire the next generation.”
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