'I need to focus on giving back': Firefighter Wales prop announces Test retirement

Wales‘ Jenni Scoble will retire from international rugby to focus on her career with the Fire Service after this weekend’s Barbarians fixture.

The 33-year-old prop will play her final game for Wales this weekend at Allianz Stadium and will continue to play for Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge, while also working as a full-time firefighter.

Scoble made her Test debut against Australia in 2024 at WXV2 and was a member of Sean Lynn’s Women’s Rugby World Cup squad in 2025. She has won eight caps for her country.

The eight-cap international scored her first international try for Wales against England at the Principality Stadium in the 2025 edition of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

Scoble said: “This has been an incredibly tough decision to make and is one I have thought long and hard about. Playing for Wales and being part of the squad has meant everything to me but combining my role as an international rugby player with my career in the Fire Service has been a really delicate and tough balance.

“I have prided myself on my ability to give the best of myself to my rugby career and my fire service career, but the demands now mean I feel I cannot do that. If I was younger and had this opportunity, I would bite your hand off, but I have a career I love and need to focus on giving back to the Fire Service which has allowed me to achieve my dream of playing for Wales.”

Scoble’s international career has been played alongside her full-time career as a firefighter with the South Wales Fire and Rescue Service at Roath Fire Station.

For the past three seasons Scoble has been a regular feature for Gwalia Lightning and played in their play-off semi-final earlier this season.

Sean Lynn, Wales head coach, said: “Jenni has been an inspiration, and we have all been in awe of the way she has combined her rugby with her career as a firefighter.

“To see her come in to training after being on a night shift and give everything she has to the cause is a symbol of her work ethic, dedication and desire to wear the Wales jersey.

“She had been a real role model and to have her pass on her experience to the next generation of players with Gwalia Lightning can only benefit those players and Welsh rugby.”

Nadine Griffiths, WRU Director of Women’s Rugby, said: “Jenni’s commitment and love of rugby has shone through throughout her career, from playing for a community club and all the way to playing for Wales.

“She is almost a victim of her own and women’s rugby’s success by taking this decision because she recognises the demands of combining two demanding careers – life as a professional rugby player and that of a firefighter.

“Jenni has been a fantastic role model for every young girl wanting to play rugby and while we understand her decision we are delighted she will continue to play for Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge.”