Wales' Metcalfe signs new Gloucester-Hartpury deal

Wales back Nel Metcalfe has extended her contract with Gloucester-Hartpury beyond the end of this season.

Metcalfe joined the Premiership Women's Rugby side in 2024 having begun her career with Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge.

The 21-year-old won her first international cap aged 18 during the inaugural WXV Tournament and has gone on to earn 16 caps for her country, although a knee injury has ruled her out of any participation in this year's current Six Nations campaign.

Metcalfe can play at full-back and on the wing and has scored six tries in seven games at club level this campaign, including a hat-trick against Loughborough Lightning in February.

"I've really enjoyed my time here so far and feel like I'm growing a lot as a player in this environment," Metcalfe said.

"Right now, I'm focusing fully on my rehab and doing everything I can to get back to full fitness. I'm looking forward to being back out there once I've completed that process and feeling ready to contribute again.

"The standards here are really high and that's exactly what I need at this stage of my career. I'm excited to keep building on that and see where it takes me."

Gloucester-Hartpury are currently top of the PWR table having won all 14 of their league games so far.

They return to action on 29 May with a game away at Trailfinders Women, with their place in the play-offs in June already confirmed as they look to win a fourth successive title.

Team-mates Maud Muir, Niamh O'Dowd, Emma Sing and Alex Matthews have all signed new contracts in recent weeks.

Head of rugby Dan Murphy said Metcalfe has shown she is a "genuine try-scoring threat" from anywhere across the back three.

"She's becoming an increasingly dangerous player at this level, and what's most exciting is that there's still plenty of growth ahead of her," he said.

"Even while she's currently working through injury rehab, we're really pleased with the direction she's heading."