Wales stalwart Lake announces retirement

February 11, 2026 No Comments

Wales stalwart Lake announces retirement at 35Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Kerin Lake won her 50th Wales cap against Spain in 2024ByCeri Coleman-PhillipsBBC Sport WalesPublished1 hour ago3 Comments

Wales stalwart Kerin Lake has unveiled her retirement from rugby at the age of 35.

A trailblazer of the women’s game, Lake balanced motherhood with rugby during the amateur days before becoming a full-time professional.

She became a mainstay in the Wales midfield alongside Hannah Dallavalle after making her Test debut against Scotland in the 2011 Women’s Six Nations.

Lake took a break from the sport in 2014 following the arrival of her son, before returning the following year.

Her 54th and final Test appearance came against Canada in last year’s Rugby World Cup.

“Wearing the jersey and playing in front of you has been an honour,” Lake stated.

Lake began her rugby journey at Neath Athletic and went on to enjoy success with Ospreys before moving to Gloucester-Hartpury in 2020, where she won two Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) titles.

She left in 2024 to join Celtic Challenge side Gwalia Lightning, saying the chance to return home to Wales was “too good to turn down.”

Kerin Lake and her son Jacob at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand — Image caption,

Kerin Lake with her son Jacob at the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand

Lake’s international career had been ravaged by injury, but her grit and determination saw her make comeback after comeback.

She achieved her target of being fit for last summer’s World Cup, but a shoulder injury suffered in the pool game against Canada proved the final blow.

In keeping with her modesty, Lake chose to announce her retirement on social media, with little fuss.

“After a lot of thought, the time has come for me to step away from the game that has given me so much,” she wrote.

“Rugby has been a part of my life longer than I can count. It has shaped who I am.

“I’m incredibly grateful to all the coaches I’ve had along the way. Thank you for your guidance, belief and for pushing me to be better every single day. To the management and medical staff, your hard work behind the scenes never goes unnoticed and I truly couldn’t have done this without you.

“To my team-mates, past and present, thank you for the memories, friendships, the battles and the laughs. It’s been an honour to stand beside you representing something bigger than ourselves.”

Lake also thanked the fans for their constant backing, and her family for their “unconditional love and support”.