Bethan Dainton adds to Warriors Women’s pack

Wigan Warriors are pleased to announce the signing of dual-code Welsh International, Bethan Dainton, for the 2026 Betfred Women’s Super League Season.

Dainton made the switch from Rugby Union to Rugby League to join Leeds Rhinos ahead of the 2023 season and made her Betfred Women’s Super League debut in the opening match of the season against York in the back row. 

In her first season with the Rhinos, the forward played 14 games, scoring six tries in all competitions. Five of her tries came in the Challenge Cup as she helped Leeds become one of the first Women’s sides to play at Wembley Stadium in the Final, she also started her first Grand Final in the defeat to York.

In the 2024 season, Dainton amassed 15 appearances (14 of those were starts) and nine tries and was one of eight Rhinos players that played every game in that year’s Challenge Cup competition, including the Final at Wembley.

Dainton previously played for Rugby Union side Harlequins, where she won the Premier 15 title in 2021 and became the first service woman to play for the Barbarians. She is a dual code international too, who won eight caps in Rugby Union for Wales in both the forwards and the backs, before going on to represent and Captain Wales Rugby League with 8 Caps to date.

To cap off her 2024 campaign, Dainton led Wales to their first ever Women’s Rugby League World Cup as the side beat Ireland and Netherlands to qualify for 2026. She was also shortlisted in the IRL’s Golden Boot award alongside international teammate, and Warrior, Carys Marsh.

2025 saw Dainton feature 12 times for Leeds who finished fourth in the final league standings. 

Away from Rugby, Dainton is a full time soldier in the British Army, and has played both Rugby codes for the Army teams. In 2022, she scored two tries for the Army when they beat the Royal Navy at Twickenham and was awarded MVP of the International Defence Rugby competition in New Zealand.

She joins the forward pack for the Warriors for the 2026 Betfred Super League season after making the switch after three seasons with Leeds Rhinos. Speaking on the switch, Dainton said: “I’m really excited to be signing with the Warriors. The team’s style of rugby really suits the way I like to play, I can’t wait to meet the girls, get stuck into pre-season, and work hard to prepare for a big year ahead.

“I would also like to thank Leeds Rhinos Women, the fans and everyone who has supported me throughout my time at Leeds.”