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It has been a whirlwind 18 months for Wales international Nel Metcalfe.
The 19-year-old has gone from running in tries for Nant Conwy to making her Test debut against USA last September.
A month later she travelled with Wales to New Zealand where she made her first start against the defending world champions in WXV.
Metcalfe is now proving a fine finisher for defending Premiership championship Gloucester-Hartpury, scoring a hat-trick against Harlequins on Friday.
She made her debut for the Cherry and Whites on 13 January after impressing for Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge.
She has since featured in six of the last seven games, starting either on the wing or at full-back.
As well as Friday’s player of the match performance, Metcalfe was also the hero in last month’s west country derby against Bristol Bears Women, when she came off the bench to score in injury time.
Gloucester have now won 13 from 13 and have already secured a home semi-final in the Premiership play-offs.
Metcalfe was this week one of 12 Gloucester players named in Wales’ Six Nations squad.
“I always want to play well regardless, but ahead of the Six Nations it’s great to put in a performance like that and just to be playing week in week out,” Metcalfe said after Friday’s night’s win at Kingsholm.
“It’s been amazing to have the opportunities and a good run of games
“I think the PWR [Premiership Women’s Rugby] is the highest level of league rugby you can have, so it’s been amazing to experience that.
“The Celtic Challenge has been great for me as well.”
Metcalfe is now targeting a place in Wales’ squad for their opening match against Scotland on 23 March.
“Very excited for the Six Nations, hopefully I’ll get an opportunity,” she added.
“There is so much competition in the squad, I’m really going to have to work for my shirt, but I’m looking forward to doing that.”
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