Yahoo Sports Wales centre Lake joins Lightning for Celtic Challenge
Wales centre Kerin Lake has joined Gwalia Lightning for this season's expanded Celtic Challenge.
Lake, 34, left reigning English champions Gloucester-Hartpury at the end of last season.
The Neath-born former Ospreys Women's back hopes the move will provide her with more game-time in the build-up to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.
"It's World Cup year and every player knows they have to play week-in, week-out, and having the chance to do that ahead of what promises to be the biggest year in the women's game was another factor in my decision," said Lake.
"The chance to return home to Wales and to be close to my family was too good to turn down.
"Having spent most of my recent career playing in England, the opportunity to play back in Wales with a new team in a new competition is an exciting one."
The Celtic Challenge, launched in 2022, will be expanded for 2024-25 to see six teams play on a home and away basis over 10 rounds, starting in December.
Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning represent Wales. Ireland have Irish Wolfhounds and Clovers with Scotland fielding Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors.
The tournament will conclude in March, before the Women's Six Nations, with the winner based on final league standings.
"Like everyone I was an interested observer and watcher of Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning in their first season in the Celtic Challenge," added Lake.
"The Celtic Challenge is a new tournament but has been a real launchpad for younger players to strive for Test honours with Wales. If I can help them and support them, it will only help Gwalia and ultimately the national side."
Gwalia Lightning head coach Catrina Nicholas MacLaughlin said: "To have someone of Kerin's experience will be vital for what is a young and exciting Gwalia Lightning squad.
"The impact and experience that Welsh internationals Bryonie King and Kate Williams brought to the younger players was a big part of our success last season.
"Their leadership and ability to lead by example, on and off the field, allowed the likes of Catherine Richards, Gwennan Hopkins, Sian Jones and Molly Reardon to show what they could do and ultimately led to those players getting international recognition with Wales.
"If Kerin, with all her Test match experience with Wales, does the same then we will make significant strides this season. Her example could entice more international players to return home and we she will not be the last to play for Gwalia or in the Celtic Challenge."
