Bryonie King has been a star in the making for quite some time but at 22 she seems to have finally found her feet, and her voice, at international level and is delivering on her considerable promise.
A return to Wales to play for, and co-captain, Gwalia Lightning has been crucial in her being able to nail down a starting spot in Sean Lynn’s new Wales team, and after three starts in the 2026 Women’s Six Nations she finally is flourishing on the biggest of stages.
Her rugby journey began at Abercynon RFC when she was eight and by the time she was 15 she was playing for the Cardiff U18 side. Her Gloucester-Hartpury debut in the English Premier 15s came when she was 17.
As a hard carrying, skillful back row forward she had ticked many boxes in her career before Lynn gave her an extended run in his side this year. At 18 she captained the Wales Women’s Rugby League side against England, the youngest player to do that, and she won the first of her union 15 caps to date as a replacement against England in 2023.
But it hasn’t been until this championship, which resumes with a game against Ireland on Saturday at the Affidea Stadium in Belfast, that she has been able to string together a run of starts.
“The Irish are always physical and fast and we’ve had some close games with the Wolfhounds and Clovers in the Celtic Challenge,” said King.
“I’ve never played against Ireland internationally but I think it’s going to be a very exciting game. The Celtic Challenge has helped me so much with my confidence over the three seasons it has been up and running.
“This season in the Celtic Challenge I’ve found my voice and been able to be more myself. Leading does come naturally to me and I’ve done it through age grade teams, so I’ve enjoyed being co-captain of the side.”
Having experienced playing in the top league in England at both Gloucester-Hartpury, where she worked with Lynn, and Bristol Bears, her decision to return to play in Wales for Gwalia in 2023 has given her the chance to play more regularly and to really flourish.
She was awarded a full-time contract with the WRU in 2023, played at WXV1 and in the 2025 Women’s World Cup. She has also found time to fit in playing for Wales Sevens and GB Sevens
Her route to the top has seen her compete with the legendary Sioned Harries, Beth Lewis, Alex Callander, Alisha Joyce, Georgia Evans and current skipper Kate Williams for a starting position in the Welsh back row.
“It has been great being a starter on the international stage. We have a lot of good competition within the squad from the youngsters, but the senior players have been very good in helping us to understand every role and every small detail,” added King.
“This has been the best campaign I’ve been involved with so far. Players like Georgia Evans and Alex Callander have been telling me just to be me, to enjoy every moment I’m involved in, and to take very opportunity.
“That’s what I’ve tried to do. We haven’t had the results we’ve wanted but the performances have improved each week.
“It has been really enjoyable, and we’ve been trying to find our identity and improve our performance levels. There is a lot of emphasis on building on our defence under our new coach and that is building nicely.”
Holding the Irish attack at bay will be critical in Round 4 as Wales look to finish with a flourish in Belfast and then back on home soil against Italy a week later.