Alba Capell: Spain will grab headlines at the WXV Global Series Challenger

Almost two years have passed since Spain lifted the WXV 3 title for the first time. Laura Delgado, Lourdes Alameda, Monica Castelo, Cristina Blanco, Carmen Castellucci, and alike marvelled at their biggest success since qualifying for the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup.

However, since then, Delgado and a few have exited the scene, with the responsibility of leading Las Leonas falling to the shoulders of Claudia Peña Hidalgo, Ana Peralta, Amalia Argudo and Alba Capell.

The latter, who has been playing rugby since she was a child, was by some distance one of Spain’s best performers at WXV 3 in 2024, packing a voracious carrying game, bumping tacklers left and right and showcasing some great exhilarating skills.

Coming from the Club Esportiu Universitari/Barça Rugbi, the back-rower enjoyed a brief stint in France before signing with JAECOO Premiership Women’s Rugby club Sale Sharks in the Summer of 2024.

While the experience was met with some challenges, Capell feels at home in a club that allowed her to become a professional rugby player.

“I feel that I am a professional rugby player,” the 22-year-old loose forward said.

“I know that I live in a bubble, as not everyone has experienced the same, but Sale Sharks have given everything to me to excel. I think the women’s game is trending in the right direction, but there’s still so much to do.”

Although she is fully committed to her job as a professional rugby player, Capell is taking a degree in sports science to be better prepared for her life after rugby.

However, that scenario is far down the road, as right now rugby is the main priority of her life.

“Sometimes it is hard to believe that I am here. There are also times when I don’t value what I have accomplished. But doubts and self-questioning are part of the process. For me, what’s more important to keep in mind is never to stop being ambitious. I want more and more, and I won’t stop until I achieve it.”

Joining the PWR club has pushed Capell’s boundaries and enhanced her ability as a player.

“England has allowed me to become a better player. I always wanted to learn more skills and hone them. Since I joined Sale, I have been able to understand how I can position myself better as an attacking operator.

“Coming here has also helped improve my physicality, which came from facing tougher opposition and stronger players from all over the world.”

After a first year in which national team commitments and injuries and coaching options limited her playing time, everything seemed to be going well in 2025/26 until a serious injury prematurely ended the season.

“This last season was quite challenging, specifically the psychological side of it,” Capell revealed.

“From getting into form to then sustaining a serious injury that made me miss the last six months, it was not easy for me. I don’t give up, and I keep fighting to reach my goals, and I know that I will be at my best when the season officially begins.”

While others might have been discouraged by the setbacks, the loose forward continued to put in the work behind the scenes, displaying the resilience that has long defined her.

“I have always been like this. Whenever I step onto the pitch, I feel the same as when I had my first practice session when I was a little girl. I had a coach who used to say to me, ‘I don’t need to go 100 per cent every single time! I need you to go 100 per cent, then 88 per cent and then 100 per cent again, or else you will be exhausted!”. Rugby is everything to me. It drives me forward.”

With the arrival of a new season, Capell will also embrace something ‘new’ – or rather, familiar – as she is set to line up not so much as a back-rower, but as a hooker.

The decision to move to a new position did not come out of nowhere, with the versatile forward providing a full explanation for her choice.

“While it might seem weird at first glance, I should add something important: when I was younger, I used to practice throwing the ball in every day.

“But the reasoning behind this positional change is Spain. I am a back-rower who doesn’t jump in the lineout, and, from my perspective, we need to have more jumping options. So, if I can move to hooker, we can add another loose forward who can benefit the jumping pod.”

The move was not made unilaterally, as Sale staff supported the decision and were confident Capell had the tools to thrive in her new position.

“For me, it is the right decision for the future. The Sale Sharks staff have been helping me to become a utility forward, one that can benefit the team in more ways than one. Unfortunately, I got injured just when I was starting training as a hooker.”

With preseason already underway at Sale Sharks, Capell is working hard to earn a call-up to the national team, as she aims to feature in the upcoming WXV Global Series Challenger.

While she sustained a foot injury one week before the Women’s Rugby Europe Championship, the back-rower had a chance to practice under new head coach Régis Sonnes, who ushered in a new era for Las Leonas.

“The vibe is beyond positive, in my opinion. Régis Sonnes and the new staff brought a new energy and a new way of working. He assured us that mistakes are allowed because it will take time, work and mistakes to perfect our new playing style.”

Spain completely dominated their European opposition throughout the competition’s three rounds with their attacking flair unlocking the way to score a unending cascade of tries.

While some might think it is a matter of magic, the Spain international explained that her country’s recent success was built on hard work, self-belief, and a willingness to take risks.

“Régis is pushing us to take the initiative and not wait for what the opposition is going to do. The idea is to have more ball, to prioritise our attack and be able to speed up the game whenever we want. That’s his vision for Las Leonas, one that we want to be part of.”

With another cup stored in the trophy cabinet, Capell and her teammates are now aiming to take the WXV Global Series Challenger by storm.

“The team performed to an excellent degree in the Women’s Rugby Europe Championship and laid down the groundwork for what we hope to accomplish come the WXV Global Series Challenger. We want to win it again so we can keep building to achieve greater things.”

As the Spanish women’s national team looks to usher in a new era, the Barcelona-born player says the squad is driven by a strong desire to showcase Spanish rugby on the world stage, with Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 serving as just one example of what they believe they can achieve.

“The people’s perception of Spanish rugby has changed with the World Cup. It gave us a platform, and that’s why Régis Sonnes wants us to be more ambitious. We need to show our supporters who we aim to be in the next four years.”

In her vision, the qualification for last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup was the first steppingstone for a community that desires success and to be acknowledged.

“For the players of my generation, playing in a World Cup was a fantasy or a dream before 2023. We qualified for it, competed in it, and pushed Spain into the spotlight. We now know that we can get there now, and we will do everything we can to qualify for 2029!”

Capell senses a growing wave of optimism throughout the Spanish women’s rugby community, one that reflects the confidence and ambition with which the team is looking ahead.

“One thing I am pretty sure about Spain is that Spanish women’s rugby will grab the headlines. Believe in my words and the new generations of girls and women who are hellbent on making Las Leonas go to the next level.”

With 31 caps for Spain, she recognises the responsibility that comes with her role and hopes future generations will join her, offering words of encouragement to those aspiring to represent Las Leonas.

“For the girls that aspire to join shoulders with us, I only have to say one thing: enjoy. Enjoy the process, be excited by what the sport brings to you and believe in your work. Rugby demands a lot from you, but it’s worth it to keep fighting for it no matter if you are from Extremadura, Malaga, etc. Be ambitious and dream.”