These are the players waving the rainbow flag high this year
BY AIMEE BUTLER, IMAGES VIA INSTAGRAM (@KELSEYJADEJONES, @KAYLEIGHPOWELLL, PROVIDED)
Often remarked upon as one of the most inclusive women’s sports out there, this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup team rosters have not disappointed, with thirteen of the sixteen sides boasting at least one openly LGBTQIA+ team member.
After suffering a tough loss to Scotland last weekend, Wales will go up against Canada on Saturday, hoping to secure a victory.
Ahead of their clash, let’s take a look at all of the Welsh players who are confirmed to be out and proud at this year’s tournament.
Kelsey Jones
Kelsey Jones plays as a hooker for both the Wales national team and Gloucester-Hartpury, and was first capped for Wales at the 2017 Rugby World Cup.
Off the pitch, Jones works as the Lead Participation Officer for Gloucester Rugby, focusing on improving diversity and inclusion in the game. She works to encourage underrepresented and minority groups to join the rugby community, often in schools and colleges.
Jones’ partner is fellow Gloucester teammate and England forward, Sarah Beckett.
Jasmine Joyce-Butchers
Jasmine Joyce Butchers is somewhat of a rugby legend.
She is a three-time Olympian for Team GB’s rugby 7s and received her 50th cap for Wales earlier this year. This year’s tournament will mark her third Rugby World Cup.
She married her partner and fellow Welsh rugby star, Alisha Butchers, in 2023, and together they are expecting their first child in November 2025.
She has previously spoken about being an LGBTQIA+ athlete and the progress that is still needed within the men’s game.
“We have a different audience to men’s rugby, and, as a same-sex couple, it’s very accepted in what we do within rugby.”
“If it was more accepted in men’s rugby, maybe there’d be more people open to speaking about it. It does happen in the men’s game, they’re just not as open.”
Courtney Keight
Keight is a talented and versatile rugby player with 16 international appearances.
Previously playing for Bristol Bears, Keight has recently signed a new contract for Sale Sharks for the upcoming season.
Her hopes for Wales as an international rugby threat are high. “We’ve said it as a group. We want to be relentless. We don’t want to score twice and back off. We want to be the side that keeps going.”
Kayleigh Powell
Welsh prop and Paris 2024 Olympian, Kayleigh Powell has secured 20 caps for her country, making her debut in 2019.
She currently plays for Harlequins Women, and this will be her second Women’s Rugby World Cup.
She is dating Harlequins teammate Lucy Burgess, with whom she bought a house with in 2023.
Donna Rose
Wales and Saracens Women prop, Donna Rose sports 27 caps for Wales, and was one of the first twelve players to be offered a professional rugby contract with Wales in 2022.
Donna is an ambassador for the mental health charity Brave Mind and is keen on promoting inclusivity and mental health awareness within rugby. She has previously opened up about her own experience with borderline personality disorder and hopes her platform as a professional athlete will help inform others about the disorder and other conditions.
“I love being a professional rugby player, that’s a big part of my life, but I’m over the moon that I can now use that as a platform to get mental health out there“.
In January, Donna welcomed a baby girl with partner Steph. On queer representation in sport, she has praised rugby for its open atmosphere. “We will take anyone if you can catch and run with a ball. No one judges.”
DIVA magazine celebrates 31 years in print in 2025. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQIA+ media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.
DIVA magazine celebrates 31 years in print in 2025. If you like what we do, then get behind LGBTQIA+ media and keep us going for another generation. Your support is invaluable.
