Rugby Union star signs for Warriors Women

• Wigan Warriors Women confirm the signing of former Bath RU Player of the Year, Anna Mary Davies.
• Davies is a current member of the Team GB Teachers Women’s Squad and scored a hat-trick in her second game playing rugby league.
• “I’m looking forward to putting on the Cherry and White shirt, and having a chance to represent such a prestigious club, and be a part of a squad that can really compete for the title.”

Wigan Warriors Women have strengthened their squad further with the signing of former Bath Rugby Union winger and current Team GB Teachers member, Anna Mary Davies.

Davies will join the squad for the commencement of the 2020 season, should it take place.

Speaking on her background, Davies said: “I used to do athletics, competing at national level in sprint hurdles and winning 4 national medals in the U15-U17 age groups before stopping due to a stress fracture in my foot in 2013. The stress fracture was complicated and struggled to heal, which resulted in surgery and a lot of pain for years.

“It was five years later – in 2018 – when the doctor gave me the all clear to play sport again. Athletics had been my be all and end all and I struggled a lot when it was taken away from me. It had taken me a few years to be content with not being able to run in myself.

The 25-year-old added: “As I’d studied in Bath, a city which revolves around Rugby Union, I was keen to give it a go. I joined Bath RU Ladies and within two weeks made my first team debut on the wing, and have pretty much cemented the position there ever since.

“Last summer, the Bath Head Coach told us about an opportunity for teachers and school support staff to try out for the Team GB Teachers Rugby League team – and as a teaching assistant at the time, I thought it was worth a shot.

“Luckily, I was selected and after just two training sessions we played our first game against the UK Armed Forces and I started on the wing.”

Following her rugby league debut that saw Team GB Teachers beat the UK Armed Forces 22-20, Davies went on to make an impressive second performance against Wales Women.

“Though I still have so much more to learn, I was much more confident heading into the second game, where I went on to score a hat-trick against Wales Women.

“I really enjoyed both games for Team GB Teachers – the game is much faster than union and because of the tackle count you have a much more attacking mindset.”

The winger was keen to pay tribute to the club that gave her a new opportunity.

She said: “I loved playing for Bath. I will always be thankful for my time there and for the patience many at the club put into me.

“Now, I’m really looking forward to the challenge at Wigan. I’m looking forward to putting on the Cherry and White shirt and having a chance to represent such a prestigious club, and be a part of a squad that can really compete for the title.”

Davies joins Beth Hayes, Clare Radford, Dannielle Molyneux, Emily Stirzaker, Jennifer Pickersgill, Liv Miah, Mia Dobson and Paige Costello as new faces to the Warriors Women first team for 2020.