Place of birth Bridgend, Wales Weight 87 kg (13.7 st) Current team Skewen RFC / Ospreys | Height 1.75 m (5.7 ft) Position(s) number eight | |
Date of birth (1991-07-08) 8 July 1991 (age 25) | ||
Shona Powell Hughes (born 8 July 1991) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays number eight for Skewen RFC, the Ospreys and the Wales women's national rugby union team. She won her first international cap against South Africa in the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup.
Playing career
Shona Powell Hughes was both in Bridgend, Wales on 8 July 1991. As of 2016, her official Wales Rugby Union biography states that she is 1.75 metres (5.7 ft) tall, and weighs 87 kilograms (13.7 st). She was called up to the Wales women's national rugby union team squad for the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup as the youngest member of the team. She made her debut against South Africa, where she was brought on as a substitute. She made a further appearance as a substitute at the tournament against New Zealand.
Powell Hughes was voted by the Welsh players as the Young Player of the Six Nations tournament in 2011. Prior to the 2015 Women's Six Nations Championship, she was one of the players picked out by captain Rachel Taylor in an interview for the Rugby World magazine. Powell Hughes was praised by The Guardian, following the Welsh victory over England 13-0. This was only the second time the Welsh women had ever beaten England, who were the reigning world champions.
Powell Hughes was injured during the 2016 Women's Six Nations Championship, but returned to the Welsh international team for the game against France. She currently plays for Skewen RFC and the Ospreys. Powell Hughes helped promote The Community Trust's Girls 4 Sport Swansea scheme, which sought to increase the level of sports coaching available to girls aged between 9-11.