AN ANGLESEY teenager has earned a place in the Wales Women's rugby squad for their upcoming Six Nations tournament.

Despite only playing her first year of senior rugby, 18-year-old Molly Kelly has been chosen to represent her country at the event which gets underway against France this weekend.

The SP Energy Networks apprentice, who is one of the youngest members of the squad, says she is "honoured" to have been selected.

“When my team manager called me to tell me the news, it came as quite a surprise as I’ve only just turned 18," Molly added.

"I’ve also just started an apprenticeship with SP Energy Networks, and it’s been challenging finding the time to do both, but the company has been very supportive throughout the process - allowing me to follow my dream of playing rugby at an international level".

Molly enrolled as a craft apprentice on SP Energy Networks’ apprenticeship scheme earlier last year after taking interest in the company that sponsors her club side RGC.

Having previously been the captain of the Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC) under 18s women’s team, Molly now plays for the RGC senior women’s side.

Wales Women head coach Rowland Phillips praised Molly ahead of the Six Nations tournament,s saying: “I first spotted Molly at the launch of the RGC U18 programme a couple of seasons ago and could see straight away that she had something special.

"She has benefitted from that programme in North Wales and thoroughly deserves her selection. I’m excited to see how she progresses through being part of our senior Wales squad environment.”

Stephen Stewart, Director at SP Energy Networks, added: “We’re committed to supporting the next generation of talent and we’re extremely proud of Molly’s hard work and determination to progress her rugby career alongside her engineering one.

“It’s an honour for us to be supporting Molly as she makes her Welsh national squad debut, and we wish her and the rest of the Welsh team the very best of luck for the tournament.”

The electricity distributor recently reported an increase in the number of apprenticeship applications in the North Wales area and has introduced new programmes for different entry levels as an alternative to further education.

For further information about SP Energy Networks’ apprenticeship programmes, visit: www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/careers.aspx