'I COULD HAVE QUIT - BUT I DIDN'T'

Welsh rugby star Gwen Crabb has powered through some trying times and battled back to World Cup form

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As rugby player Gwen Crabb gears up for her second Women's Rugby World Cup, the battle means even more to her this time around.

In our exclusive shoot, the 26-year-old admits that a raft of injuries had pushed her close to quitting - but now the Swansea-born Welsh international is carving out a new chapter in her career.

"I've had a rough couple of years," she tells us. "I've been injured on-and-off since the last World Cup, so to feel good means everything."

Gwen, who also plays for Gloucester-Hartpury in the Premier 15s, was thrilled to wriggle out of her rugby kit and glam up for our shoot.

"It was like a childhood dream," she laughs. "The next day I was like, 'What do you mean there's nobody to do my hair and makeup?'"

Gwen has been readying herself for the World Cup for months.

"Everything I've done for the last year has been geared towards this - not just training but decisions around alcohol and my social life," she says.

Playing in Australia recently helped with her preparations.

"We've bonded as a team. Being together 24/7 you find out things about each other, and getting your kit on for the first time always feels like Christmas Day," she says.

The Lionesses' historic victory last month was an inspiration to her, too.

"Seeing women's sport grow and witnessing England win the Euros again is inspiring. Rugby is a few years behind football but, hopefully, we can have similar impact and inspire young girls. That's what pushes me through the darkest moments." Gwen's bleakest days followed a series of injuries which hit her mentally, too.

"I broke my ankle after the last World Cup, then ruptured my ACL [the anterior cruciate ligament] in my first game back.

I struggled. There was a lot of, 'Why me?' "But gradually I flipped the narrative and saw there was lots outside of rugby that I could do, like spending time with family. I was in a new relationship too, so there were positives."