Joyce pair's point to prove on return to Wales

Internationals Jasmine Joyce and Alisha Joyce say they remain ambitious for club and country after confirming they will play their rugby in Wales next season.

The married couple finished their careers with Bristol Bears last weekend having spent six years with the Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR) club.

The next chapter will see them play in the Celtic Challenge, most likely Llanelli-based Brython Thunder, for who they made their debuts earlier this year.

The move will also allow them to spend more time with their son Ralphie.

"This has not been an easy decision but one we have made for family reasons," said Wales flanker Alisha.

"The travel to and from Bristol to train and play is not ideal when you have a young family and we know we need the support network provided by our families and friends to bring up Ralphie."

Wales wing Jasmine said it was a decision they had "not taken lightly" but was the "right one for us as a family".

"Our son Ralphie is at the centre of our decision-making now and we want the best for him while maintaining our rugby careers as professional athletes," said the three-time Olympian.

"We are both still very ambitious and feel we have things to prove at club and Test level with Wales.

"Both of us have always wanted to play a high standard of club rugby in Wales but we have never had that opportunity until now."

The Joyce's return to Welsh rugby has been welcomed by Wales head coach Sean Lynn, who wants more of his players returning home, especially those not getting enough game time in the PWR.

International duo Gwen Crabb and Natalia John led the way last season, with others likely to follow.

"The fact that Alisha and Jaz have taken this decision after playing in the Celtic Challenge shows they have faith that we can provide them with the platform to further their club and Test careers," said Lynn.

He also said their experience will be "a real benefit" to emerging players.

Dave Reddin, WRU Director of Rugby and Elite Performance, said: "It won't be lost on anyone that this is something they could not have done before and demonstrates the investment made by the Welsh Rugby Union in providing high quality cross-border rugby in Wales."

As well as bringing players back, the WRU has also formally lodged an interest at entering a Welsh team into an expanded PWR, which Reddin said would be a "really exciting option".