Edwards’ potential was clear even when she was at university winning Wales’ player of the season award in 2004.

But when her course at UWIC finished, she found herself unable to commit the time to training sessions and matches in his job as a PE teacher.

So she hung up her boots in 2004 with 25 Welsh caps already to her name before being tempted out of retirement when the international set-up spied her playing at a sevens tournament in 2008.

And after returning to the Wales set-up in 2009, Edwards has not looked back but has been shocked at the extent the women’s game has changed in her absence.

She said: “Since I have been back things have changed massively – there are far more girls in the sport now so there’s real competition for places.

“There’s so much talent coming through the system now you have to really work hard for your place.

“I played at the start for my university and afterwards I started a new career but found I could not continue to find the time for training.

“But when I turned out for a Sevens tournament and some of the people in the Welsh management invited me along to some training to see if I would enjoy it again.

“There’s a lot more structure and professionalism in the women’s game but I am loving it and there’s no regrets in coming back to the game.”