Megan Davey, at a self-proclaimed “old” age of 26, just got the call-up to Wales’ 39-strong squad, proving her international ambitions are absolutely back on fire. This wasn’t a sure thing, not by a long shot. After some serious setbacks and moments of doubt, she’s pulled herself back into contention, and you can practically feel her drive to get out on that field.
From “Wobble” to Warrior: How Davey Battled Back
Let’s be real, it wasn’t always looking good. Davey, who’s made a record 124 appearances for Loughborough Lightning, actually considered stepping away from rugby completely and going into full-time teaching. Why? Because after being left out of Wales’ 2026 Six Nations squad, and then omitted from Sean Lynn’s extended training squad for the WXV Global Series, the frustration was real. “There was a little bit of a wobble,” Davey admitted. “It’s hard to keep going when you’re at my age, you feel old in the game.” Think about that, feeling “old” at 26 in professional sports. It shows you the pressure these athletes face. But that voice inside her head, the one that said, “I know I can do it,” kept pushing her. And boom, the call came last month. Talk about a comeback!
The Journey and The Unity of the Nines
Davey’s path to wearing Welsh colors is pretty unique, too. She qualifies through her grandfather from Llanelli, but she came up through the English pathway system as a youngster. She says the Welsh under-20s system wasn’t as established back then, but it’s “really good” now. Despite being a late arrival in camp, she immediately felt welcome, even after admitting the initial nerves of walking into an “already established” environment. She was “really raring to go” and just had to “crack on with what you’re doing.” Now, primarily training at scrum-half, she’s up against serious competition from Keira Bevan and Seren Lockwood. But here’s the kicker: there’s no animosity. “We all really enjoy each other’s company,” Davey said. “We want each other to do well, so there’s never that hatred towards each other.” That kind of team-first attitude? You love to see it. It’s all about backing whoever gets the nod because they’re the “best pick for the team.”
Wales kicks off their WXV campaign against South Africa at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday, 18 September at 19:15 BST. For Davey, any chance to play would be huge. “Playing international rugby is such a privilege and I want to make everyone proud,” she said. It’s that “final step,” that moment of saying “I made it,” that she’s looking forward to. Hopefully, we get to see her live out that dream.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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