England's Ben and Tom Youngs are the latest in a small list of famous rugby siblings – which also includes the Hastings and Underwood brothers – who have played in the same international side.
Few teams can boast two siblings and a parent in the same team, however. And when Gwernyfed Ladies RFC takes to the field opponents can expect to face the unique and fearsome combination of mother Rosie Snape with youngest daughter Lily in the front row and elder sister Megan at No8. Proving it really is a family affair, father Gordon takes charge of the side and was voted women's coach of the year by the Welsh Rugby Union in January, following an unbeaten season.
Gordon modestly believes the success of his side is down to the RugbyForce initiative and the support that it provided which helped to encourage female participation.
Gwernyfed RFC, based closed to Talgarth in Powys, has long depended on volunteers and local funding, and last summer, with the support of RugbyForce, members of the club set about refreshing the changing rooms and the gym. The works had been long overdue, according to chairman Peter Weavers, who says: "RugbyForce gave us a focus, and everyone got stuck in, not least the ladies who painted the gym."
Lancaster-born Gordon Snape, 51, still occasionally turns out for the men's second team when they are short, but it is the progress his women's side has made since the renovations which pleases him most. Now in charge for his fourth season, he says: "Out of the 240 or so clubs in Wales, only 30 have women's teams, and RugbyForce was instrumental in making the Gwernyfed ladies feel they had co-ownership of the club. It gave them the opportunity to make key decisions rather than being passive in club development."
Last season, some of the women started coaching an under-15s side for girls, which first played in April with more games planned this season. "There are not many teams at that age at the moment, but it's definitely growing," he continues. He affords no preferential treatment to his girls, however, and is "more critical about them, if anything". Hooker Lily, 19, is on the books of Cardiff Blues, while 25-year-old Megan has represented Wales. Mother Rosie took up the sport late and is a tough prop who "tackles like a Tongan", according to her husband, and even lost a tooth while playing.
"I only started coaching the side as – when they were at training on Thursday nights – I was home alone and bored," adds Gordon, a physical education teacher at Usk prison in nearby Monmouthshire. "I'm really proud of them all, though they do get a good ticking off if they deserve it. RugbyForce helped increase the interest in the sport for women and now we are in great health."
