Defeats for Wales in Bethan Dainton’s first games as captain

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Wales’ women’s rugby league side suffered two defeats in Bethan Dainton’s first two games as captain.

Dainton, from Hengoed, was named the new captain last month and led out her country for the first time away to France on Sunday October 29.

It was the first time the two sides had met, but it was the hosts who claimed victory in a low-scoring 14-4 win in Carcassone.

It was also the first time Wales had played a game since October 2022.

The Leeds Rhinos star then captained her country against England in Leeds on Saturday November 4 – but the match ended in a disappointing 60-0 loss following a second-half onslaught from the Lionesses.

Dainton, 35, only made her international debut last year, becoming just the fourth woman to earn caps in both league and union codes for Wales.

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 played for the Barbarians before switching codes to league with the Army in 2021.

She signed for Leeds Rhinos in 2023 and was part of the team that reached the Super League Grand Final, as well as the Challenge Cup final at Wembley.

Dainton has a background in CrossFit, football and athletics and has also represented Wales on the track and in cross country.

After she was confirmed as the new Wales skipper in October, Dainton said: “Pulling on the red jersey is pretty special, but to captain my country, be the one to lead out the team and sing our national anthem will be the pinnacle of my career and the greatest honour.”