'I Never Thought I'd Leave Wasps': Army Rugby Union Star Says After Bristol Bears Move

Captain Gemma Rowland says she had to "put myself first" after ending her eight-year stint at Wasps.

The Army rugby union player has joined Bristol Bears – which is closer to where she is based in Wales.

The Welsh international is also back in the national set-up for the upcoming Six Nations.

Capt Rowland said she "never expected to leave Wasps" but after ankle surgery, the travel from her home in Wales to London was becoming too much.

"Being at the opposite ends of the M4 – I know that has taken its toll on me in the past," she said.

"I kind of had to reassess the current situation and look at where I'm spending most of my time... I'm now based in Newport... just down the road from where Bristol Bears play.

"So, from my point of view as an athlete and to try and strive to be the best athlete I can be, I had to put myself first and that means moving to a club that is closer to where I am based."

She added: "[Wasps] is my Premiership team and to be honest, I didn't think I would ever leave.

"However, there comes a point where I have to prioritise my performance, and my recovery, both physical and mental well-being."

Reflecting on her ankle injury, she said she feared whether it was "going to be something I could really recover from fully".

But after returning to fitness, she is now back in the Wales squad and enjoying working with new head coach Warren Abrahams who was appointed last year.

She said: "He challenges all of us and even for me, having played rugby now for 15 years, I still feel like I'm learning something every session I do with him."