Ealing is home to top-league rugby team, Trailfinders Women. The team, established in 2023, consists of many notable worldwide rugby stars and includes Welsh international, Carys Cox, who has amassed 13 caps in competitions including the Women’s Six Nations Championship.
In October 2024, Premiership Women’s Rugby launched Carys as part of their ‘Powered Differently’ campaign, which aimed to celebrate female rugby players by showing their full time jobs alongside playing careers. Carys’s video depicted her job as a nurse at a hospital in Cardiff, and her positive mindset as a rugby centre.
EALING.NEWS spoke to Carys to find out more about her experiences, in her playing career, working in the healthcare field and her aspirations and hopes for the future.
Ealing as a place is very different to that of Cardiff. What do you like about this part of the country?
Ealing is very different to Cardiff and opens a lot of opportunities. I enjoy that there is easy access to into central and that there are always things going on. I love that Ealing has its own community and being a part of that is great.
You’ve played for other teams, both nationally and internationally. What is the best part about playing for Trailfinders Women?
I really enjoy the style of play, and the opportunity for growth in the team, the potential within the squad is immense. Further to this, I enjoy the feel of the club, the culture and all the staff and players involved.
What do you like most about playing rugby and being a nurse?
Nursing and rugby both have great teams and people involved. With nursing I enjoy the fast nature of it and the opportunity to always progress alongside making a difference continuously in people’s lives. With nursing you are always learning. On the other hand, rugby has always been my happy place, whether this be for the adrenaline rush you get when playing, the structure, drives or goals you get weekly or the people you meet.
You’ve amassed a number of caps so far as a Welsh international player. What is the proudest moment you have had in your international career?
I feel very proud on every occasion I get to play international rugby. However, some of my proudest moments would include my first cap v USA and also beating Australia for the first time ever in September this year.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time? What would you like to have achieved both as a rugby player and as a nurse?
I have personal ambitions to get into the World Cup squad 2025 and to help Trailfinders to achieve top 4 in the next few years. I would also like to help grow the game in any way I can and inspire the next generation of players. Nursing will always be a passion of mine and I’m excited to see the opportunities it will present but will be less of a priority for me in the coming years to focus on rugby.
The Premiership Women’s Rugby has expanded considerably over the last few years. What do you hope to see in the future of women’s rugby?
Firstly, I hope to see a lot more girls playing the game. I believe having an England based World Cup will be a great tool and catalyst for the women’s game. Within the premiership game I hope to see an increase in spectators and fan base. I also hope to see more coverage and media support for the game.
You can watch Carys and many other female international rugby stars on TNT Sports, the home of Premiership Women’s Rugby, with live coverage of over 20 matches during the 2024/25 season.
