Welsh International captain and Leeds Rhinos Women’s player Bethan Dainton is looking forward to once again leading out her country, after the Red Dragons announced two fixtures this summer to help prepare them for their first-ever World Cup at the end of 2026.
They will face off against Scotland on August 3, before hosting England on August 9. The first match will be a historic moment for the women’s game, as it will be Scotland’s first ever women’s international fixture.
Meanwhile, it will also be the first time that Stuart Barrow’s England side have played Wales away from home since 2022, after strong wins in Leeds in 2023 and 2024.
Dainton joined the Rhinos ahead of the 2023 season, after playing rugby union since 2015. She first represented Wales in the 15-player code in 2016, and featured in the Women’s Six Nations in 2021. Now, the Welsh skipper is hoping that her side can progress from the recent defeats to England, as she hopes for a much tighter contest.
Speaking exclusively to Serious About Rugby League, she said: “It’s always an honour to pull on the red jersey. We know we need to right some wrongs against England, we were very disappointed in our performance last time. However, we’ve had a lot of players gain more experience in Super League and the Challenge Cup so I’m excited to see how we get on.”
Welsh skipper speaks on World Cup dream
After representing Wales in rugby union and now becoming the national team’s captain in rugby league, there are not many moments that could surpass such a huge achievement. The 36-year-old admitted that captaining her country still gives her shivers.
She said: “It still feels surreal if I’m honest, I’m so proud to be Welsh and to lead out my country. Every time I hear the national anthem, I still get goosebumps, and I never thought a few years ago I’d ever be in this position.”
Dainton also mentioned how proud she is to be part of Scotland’s first ever international match, and said she is looking forward to a strong test against them.
She said: “I think it’s absolutely fantastic for Scotland and Women’s rugby league to have another nation with a team. The squad that Scotland released has so much talent, most of them play in Super League or the championship. It will definitely be a tough encounter but one that is super exciting to be a part of a historic moment.”
Wales will travel to Australia at the end of next season for the 2026 World Cup. They qualified after beating the Netherlands and Ireland, with the skipper scoring three tries across the two games to help her side gain a place on the biggest stage.
Dainton knows there is still a lot of work to be done, but it is a moment her and the team are relishing.
She said: “Going to a World Cup is everyone’s dream, but for us, we are trying to focus on the now. We’ve got a lot to work on individually and as a group, but we’re all excited to see how we go against the best in the world.”
