'The time has come': Wales mainstay calls time on career

Wales international Kerin Lake has confirmed her retirement from rugby aged 35.

Over the course of her career, Lake won 54 caps and is considered a pioneer of women’s rugby as she balanced parenthood and playing elite rugby before she gained a full-time contract with the Welsh Rugby Union.

She made her final international appearance at last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup against Canada and sustained a shoulder injury in Salford.

Injury has often halted Lake’s Test match career since she made her debut against Scotland in 2011. She spent a year out of the game with an eye injury and also missed time with a disc prolapse.

The Neath-born back almost missed out on the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand with a calf tear although she recovered and made two appearances at the tournament.

During four years with Gloucester Hartpury, Lake won Premiership Women’s Rugby twice and was unleashed with international centre partner Hannah Dallavalle at Kingsholm Stadium. She returned to Wales in 2024 to turn out for Celtic Challenge side Gwalia Lighting.

“After a lot of thought, the time has come for me to step away from the game that has given me so much,” Lake wrote on Instagram.

“Rugby has been a part of my life longer than I can count. It has shaped who I am.

“I’m incredibly grateful to all the coaches I’ve had along the way. Thank you for your guidance, belief and for pushing me to be better every single day.

“To the management and medical staff, your hard work behind the scenes never goes unnoticed and I truly couldn’t have done this without you.

“To my teammates, past and present, thank you for the memories, friendships, the battles and the laughs. It’s been an honour to stand beside you representing something bigger than ourselves.”

In the statement Lake also thanked her family, partner, Steff Jones, and son, Jacob, for their “unconditional love” throughout her career.