Lowri Norkett has spoken of her pride and emotion after emulating her late sister and making her Wales debut five years after tragedy.
Elli Norkett, one of the brightest young women's rugby players in the country, was killed in a car accident at just 20 in 2017.
Her older sister Lowri, who was an international netball player at the time, picked up a rugby ball to play in Elli's memorial match and has gone on a remarkable journey since.
Elli had been the youngest player at the 2014 Rugby World Cup and was destined for great things.
The Wales rugby international had been driving to collect a takeaway in poor weather conditions when her car crashed on a bend in the A4109 road between Banwen and Glynneath in February. She later died of her injuries.
The tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the Welsh rugby community and beyond, with outpourings of emotion and grief clearly illustrating just how loved Elli was.
Talented sister Lowri immediately discovered the bug for rugby after playing in her sister's memorial game, going on to represent the Ospreys and Wales Rugby League. She has previously spoken of the incredibly close relationship she had with her sister in this moving interview with Wales Online
Now, she has achieved her ultimate dream, coming on to play for Wales against USA on Saturday in front of her emotional family.
"I think from when I first started playing rugby and losing Elli, this was always my ambition," Lowri told the BBC.
"It was amazing to get my rugby league cap but in terms of for Elli, I think this has been the most amazing thing.
"I can't put it into words.
"I just hope I'm even a quarter of the player she was, and I hope I can live in her footsteps and carry on the Norkett name.
"I worked very hard for this, I'm new to the game and just putting it [the jersey] on today, I just wanted to get on the pitch and show what I could do.
"My mum just hugged me tight... and having my 87-year-old grandad there, it couldn't be more amazing," Lowri said.
She is now now hopeful of gaining a place in the Six Nations squad, which starts with Ireland v Wales on March 26.
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