Wales teammates Jasmine Joyce and Alisha Butchers have announced their engagement.
The couple revealed the news via Joyce’s Instagram profile, posting a selection of photographs taken in Cardigan Bay that also featured their dog Nala wearing a bandana which read: “Will you marry my mum?”.
After making her international debut in 2016, skilful back-rower Butchers, 24, has gone on to win 32 caps for Wales and put her job at Active Carmarthenshire on hold to become a full-time rugby player.
Joyce, 26, is also part of the 12-strong cohort of full-time professional Wales Women rugby internationals after being offered a contract in December.
“About time”, Joyce wrote on Instagram. “But in all seriousness, I have never wanted something as much as this day.
“You are everything I want in a partner and a best friend. We have endless amounts of fun and laughs, you care for me and Nala so much, and we bring the best in each other, and I can’t wait to do this for the rest of our lives.
“Here’s to forever.”
Both Butchers and Joyce play for Bristol Bears in the Allianz Premier 15s as well as Wales, with their side currently sitting in second in the table following three years of Saracens and Harlequins dominance.
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The proposal took place in the romantic surroundings of The Cliff Hotel and Spa, where a heart-laden bunting on the duo’s bed read: “Jasmine, will you marry me?”.
A heart shape was also formed on the bed made from rose petals and candles.
Joyce is one of the in-form players in world rugby at the moment and has shown that her pace is a match for anyone, scoring outstanding tries for both club and country.
The engagement announcement came the day after both players started in Bristol Bears Women’s 12-10 win over Worcester on Saturday, a victory owed to the boot of Wales fly-half Elinor Snowsill who held her nerve to successfully kick a 78th-minute conversion.
