It's likely she may have to wait a couple more weeks and the end of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations before she touches back on terra firma.
A week ago, Hopkins was simply looking forward to pulling on a Wales jersey for the first time after coach Ioan Cunningham named her on the bench for their round three clash against Ireland in Cork. Now she is bracing herself for the visit of France and a potential first start.
The 19-year-old - who went to the same Welsh-language school, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr, as former Wales fly-half Elinor Snowsill - entered the fray on the hour mark and didn’t hold back. Against an Ireland team who were already 36-0 ahead, she immediately threw herself into the fray, and five minutes later added a first Test try for Wales’s only points in a 36-5 defeat.
It wasn’t enough to turn the tide though and it means that Wales start round four bottom of the table with one point. France are second with three wins from three and are eyeing a fourth ahead of a Championship showdown against England in Bordeaux in the final match of the Championship.
“We’re hurting from the weekend, but we are going to use that hurt to fuel our fire going into the game against the French. It’s going to be a physical challenge,” Hopkins said.
“There is a lot of pressure in the Six Nations because it is a huge tournament for us. But the important thing for us at the moment is that we come closer together.
“We want this, and we won’t be shying away. We are training hard and sticking together because there is a lot of pressure on us now, but we are tight as a team, and we know we need to do a big job at the weekend.
“I’m from Cardiff and so to be able to play an international game at the Arms Park or the Principality Stadium would be incredible.”
HOT STEPPER
Hopkins has already had something to celebrate this week as her Hartpury University teammates defeated Loughborough 34-22 in the BUCS Women’s Super Rugby final against Loughborough at the StoneX Stadium on Wednesday evening.
She won the title in 2022 and if she hadn’t received the call from Cunningham, would have probably been playing at Saracens' home.
Instead, she has been able to reflect on a first cap that completes a run that began when she captained Cardiff’s U18s and then Wales’s U18s, before receiving a call to the Wales Sevens set-up. Wales U20 honours followed, and she secured her place in the Wales Women’s squad with her performances for Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge.
Her debut try showed the range of her skills, as after using sharp footwork to open a gap in the Ireland pack, she then used her power to hold off three would-be tacklers and touch down.
While Wales were unable to build on the try and turn the match in their favour, it did give those in red in the crowd – including Hopkins’ family and friends – something to cheer.
“It was a bit bittersweet because of the result, but it has always been my dream to play for Wales,” Hopkins said. “Regardless of the score I can take that individually as something to celebrate and feel pretty proud of.
“I would have loved to have won on my debut, but there are no regrets on winning my first cap – I absolutely loved it. I thought I was going to be a lot more nervous than I was, but it was just a feeling of fulfilment, it was incredible.
“Scoring a try on my debut was pretty special – I just can’t believe it, it was amazing. It went so fast when I came on for the re-start.
“There was a lot of pressure coming on as a replacement, especially with the scoreline as it was, and I hope I made an impact.”
FAST TRACK TO THE TOP
Hopkins isn’t the only Welsh young gun given the opportunity to make an early mark in their career after showing off their potential at domestic and regional level.
Her age-grade teammates Sian Jones and Mollie Reardon have also made their Test debuts in the 2024 Championship, as coach Cunningham introduces some fresh blood into the squad with the 2025 World Cup on the horizon.
Jones made her debut in round one against Scotland, and Reardon followed against England. Hopkins completed the trio against Ireland, coming on nine minutes after Jones and Reardon had taken the field.
“These are girls I have been playing together with in the pathway for years and it is really exciting seeing us all come through at the same time,” Hopkins said. “I know what they are going to do, and they know what I’m going to do, and we all want to play an exciting and fast game.
“It’s a big change from playing in the pathway but coming through together makes us work better on the field together. It makes it easier.”
