After our Q&A with Men’s Blues Captain Fergus, this week we speak to Women’s Blues Captain, superstar Bethan Jones. Bethan’s a two-time Blue (2023 & 2024) and like England legends Jason Robinson and Chris Ashton is a convert from Rugby League to Union. Thankfully she saw the light when she came to Cambridge! Bethan is an experienced team captain having led the University Rugby League team for the last three years.
Name, College, subject of study & Matriculation year: Bethan Jones, Pembroke, MPhil in Sociology of Media and Culture, 2021
Nickname: My nickname at Pembroke is BJ but that title is already taken in CURUFC by the wonderful Ben Jackson so I am simply Bethan.
Position: At various points I’ve played in every position in the scrum apart from hooker but this season I’ve settled on second row.
Honours & previous clubs: CURUFC was actually my introduction to playing rugby union! Before coming to uni I played Rugby League for Thatto Heath Crusaders and captained the Warrington Wolves U19s side. I have also captained the Cambridge University Rugby League team for the past three years. I promise I prefer union nowadays though.
Favourite moment at CURUFC so far? It’s a close tie between the two winning Varsities I have been part of. Firstly, in my first year when I was part of the Tigers team who won 24-0 after an undefeated season, supported by a hoard of blues players who travelled down to watch us. Then, of course, last years’ Varsity Match which felt like a reward for all of the hard work we put in all year, which was then topped off by getting to watch the men’s historic victory afterwards.
Which pro player do you play like? As a massive Welsh rugby fan I would love to say Alun Wyn Jones with his high work rate, dominant carries, and brilliant leadership, but that may be more of an aspiration than a direct comparison.
Special talents: I basically spend all my time not playing rugby or doing my degree taking part in other college sports. I am on the Pembroke mixed and women’s netball teams and am also the goalie for the joint Pembroke and Newnham football team.
Pre-game meal? A big bowl of tomato pasta and a tropical Red Bull.
Hype song? Heavyweight Champion of the World by Reverend and the Makers.
Favourite CURUFC player of all time? My favourite player I’ve played alongside is backrower, Emily Bell, as I could always rely on her to dominate in every area of the game and she brought energy to every match. In general, it has to be Jonny Andrews with everything he has done for the women’s side of the club including taking over coaching in my first year of Blues rugby and doing an amazing job.
Who is your player to watch this season? Sara Crozier. After playing in our Jaguars varsity last year, where she absolutely excelled, she has made the move up to Blues and is having a stormer of a season so far at both second row and flanker. She has some insane running ability and is never afraid to put her body on the line in a tackle. I certainly wouldn’t want to see her running at me if I were the opposition.
Thank you Bethan and good luck in the Blues match away to Bristol Uni on Wednesday 27th November!
