FFION Lewis has spoken of her pride at being appointed captain of the Wales rugby league side for the test match against Ireland at Colwyn Bay last Sunday.

The Amman Valley player scored a second-half try hat-trick, but could not to deny Ireland a 24-26 win in their historic first women's international on home soil.

The 25 year-old had become Welsh rugby’s 100th dual code international earlier this year when she turned out for the Wales rugby league team against England.

"It's one of the best things I've done to be honest, it's really evolved my game and as a rugby player it's ignited confidence that I'd kind of lost," she said.

"The girls are so close and it's a game that tests you a lot more, it's a lot more physical than union, so you have to be very close knit and together.

"For me personally, it has developed my game physically, it's something I'm so glad I've done and to say I'm captain of my country is a massive privilege."

She added: "I’m very vocal on and off the pitch, but that’s because I’m so passionate and I hope the girls see that in me as well.

“We’ve come so far as a group over the last few months since the defeat to England, the development we’ve seen recently has been immense.”

Starting as a rugby union player, half-back Lewis has won 14 caps in that code, playing for Scarlets, Exeter Chiefs and currently Worcester Warriors.

The full-time teacher has also been called up to the Wales womens's rugby union squad for their autumn series against Japan, South Africa and Canada.

She started playing rugby league this year and scored the winning try for Cardiff Demons against The Army in the Super League South Grand Final.

Lewis skippered that side in the absence of Shaunni Davies, who is out of action with a long-term leg injury, and skippered Wales against England earlier this year.

Against Ireland, Lowri Norkett scored the opener for Wales and they led through Eleri Michael after Clodagh Dunne made history with Ireland's first try.

Bettie Lambert's try and Syphonia Pua's conversion put Ireland 10-8 ahead, beforeStacey Greenwood, Storm Cobain and Alex McGuinness also crossed.

A hat-trick from Lewis and another from Norkett took Wales' tally to six - to Ireland's five - but were they were left to rue missing their conversion attempts.