FLYER JOYCE BAGS SECOND OLYMPIC CALL
FORMER Scarlets star Jasmine Joyce is on her way to her second Olympic Games.
The flying wing will represent Team GB at rugby sevens in Tokyo later this summer.
Joyce, who hails from Pembrokeshire, made her name after progressing through the academy system at the Scarlets before progressing to the senior team.
She has since moved to Bristol Bears and has 19 Welsh caps to her name after making her Test debut in 2017.
She is one of three players who finished fourth in Rio – Natasha Hunt and Abbie Brown are the others – to be named in the GB squad.
Joyce was just 20 in Rio and was one of the youngest players in the entire GB team.
She had yet to win her first cap for Wales in the 15-a-side game.
Five years on, she is looking to draw on her experience to help the side return home with silverware.
“I was the new girl in Rio with little pressure on my shoulders,” she said.
“I’ve definitely got a different mindset this time around.
“People know my game more and there is more pressure on me to perform but I’m happy with that.
“We were disappointed not to medal last time around and are definitely going for gold next month.”
She added: “I’ve had so much support from my family, friends and coaches throughout my career.
“The fact that they won’t be able to travel to Japan is disappointing but I know that we will feel everyone’s support via social media over the next few weeks and that makes a huge difference.
“The Olympic Games is the ultimate achievement for any sportsperson and that dream became so much more achievable for me when rugby sevens became a Olympic sport.”
WRU CEO Steve Phillips said: “It’s a huge achievement to be an Olympian once, let alone twice.
“Jasmine will no doubt do her family, friends and Welsh rugby proud on the world stage once again.
“She has our full support and we will be watching the Tokyo action very closely.”