Scoble to Retire

WALES PROP Jenni Scoble has announced her retirement from international rugby after the Barbarians v Wales double-header at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, Saturday, June 27th (KO:5pm)

Scoble, who combines her international rugby career with being a full-time firefighter, will continue to play for Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge.

The 33-year-old made her Wales debut away to Australia in WXV2 in 2024 and was part of the Wales RWC squad for the 2025 World Cup in England.

Scoble scored her first try in rugby for Wales against England in front of a record crowd of more than 21,000 at the Principality Stadium in the 2026 W6N campaign.

All of this was done while she had a full-time career with South Wales Fire and Rescue Service at Roath Fire Station.

She started her career at Llandaff North, where she won the WRU’s Women’s South Wales Cup in 2022.
Scoble has been a mainstay of the Gwalia Lightning side over the last three seasons and was part of the squad for the play-off semi-finals in 2026.

Jenni Scoble, Wales and Gwalia Lightning prop, said: “This has been an incredibly tough decision to make and is one I have thought long and hard about.

“Playing for Wales and being part of the squad has meant everything to me but combining my role as an international rugby player with my career in the Fire Service has been a really delicate and tough balance.

“I have prided myself on my ability to give the best of myself to my rugby career and my fire service career, but the demands now mean I feel I cannot do that.

“If I was younger and had this opportunity, I would bite your hand off, but I have a career I love and need to focus on giving back to the Fire Service which has allowed me to achieve my dream of playing for Wales.

“A special mention must go to my family, friends, teammates, coaches and my work colleagues who have all supported me in my rugby career and given me the opportunity to experience and so many cherished memories.”

Sean Lynn, Wales Head coach, said: “Jenni has been an inspiration, and we have all been in awe of the way she has combined her rugby with her career as a Fire Fighter.

“To see her come in to training after being on a night shift and give everything she has to the cause is a symbol of her work ethic, dedication and desire to wear the Wales jersey.

“She had been a real role model and to have her pass on her experience to the next generation of players with Gwalia Lightning can only benefit those players and Welsh rugby.”

Nadine Griffiths, WRU Director of Women’s Rugby, said: “Jenni’s commitment and love of rugby has shone through throughout her career, from playing for a community club and all the way to playing for Wales.

“She is almost a victim of her own and women’s rugby’s success by taking this decision because she recognises the demands of combining two demanding careers – life as a professional rugby player and that of a firefighter.

“Jenni has been a fantastic role model for every young girl wanting to play rugby and while we understand her decision we are delighted she will continue to play for Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge.”