Year of the Dragon (Rhiannon Roberts)

The first half of a double Wales interview by Chris Brookes, marking the country’s first qualification for a major finals after December’s decisive 2-1 play-off win in Dublin, sealed by a Hannah Cain penalty and a Carrie Jones breakaway, with the EURO squad due to be announced from the summit of Yr Wyddfa. Rhiannon Roberts, 79 caps and two seasons with Real Betis in Liga F, talks about the relief of finally being asked different questions, the heat suiting her, and missing Helen Ward on camp, the pair still voice-noting daily. She relives the closing minutes in Dublin, bodies thrown on the line and Hayley Ladd’s header off it, and reflects without regret on a career that took in paying to play, living with her nan and working at M&S Bank in Chester while playing for Doncaster Belles.