The ability to think cope and react in the pressurised environment of the elite womens game is a pre requisite,so if you have undertaken a tour of duty as a precision fires gunner in Afghanistan then it is safe to say you know all about real pressure and in comparison to sport the stakes and the levels are incomparable.

Bombardier Bethan Dainton has experienced both ends of the spectrum.

Beth served with 74 Battery (The Battleaxe Company) 39 Regiment Royal Artillery, who provided precision artillery support to 16 Air Assault Brigade in Helmand Province, operating throughout the region at forward operating bases and checkpoints firing at targets believed to contain insurgents, decorated for her efforts, she was awarded the Operational Service Medal at a ceremony in Newcastle   

Born in Hengoed on 12 April 1989, Beth has represented Wales on the track, at cross country and on the rugby field in both Union and league codes.

She didn’t start playing rugby until 2015, yet remarkably made her Wales debut in the 2016 Six Nations against Ireland, going on to win five caps in the wing in the red shirt.

A serious foot injury sustained on international Sevens duty kept her out of action for nearly all of the 2017/18 season, and after a lengthy  gruelling rehab she switched from wing to flanker and is enjoying a new rugby lease of life in the number 7 shirt.

Beth returned to the international scene in Wales opening game against France in this years Women’s Six Nations.

Back at her club, Harlequins, after two Premiership final defeats, an Allianz Premiership winners medal in 2021 would be a perfect contrast and go together nicely alongside the one earned on the battlefield.