Wales debutant Jorja Aiono commits future to Gloucester Hartpury after breakthrough Six Nations season

Jorja Aiono has signed a new contract with Gloucester Hartpury, committing her future to the Premiership Women’s Rugby club where she developed through the academy after a standout breakthrough season at both club and international level.

The 19-year-old from Swansea earned all five of her Wales caps as starts during the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, making her Test debut before going on to represent Great Britain in the HSBC SVNS Series and Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge. She rounded out the domestic season with her full Gloucester Hartpury club debut against Bristol Bears in the final regular-season fixture.

Head of rugby Dan Murphy highlighted Aiono’s physical profile and composure as key reasons for the club’s confidence in her long-term development. “She has all the attributes we’re looking for to add to our back five,” Murphy said. “She’s athletic, works tirelessly around the pitch and has shown real composure in stepping up to international rugby at such a young age. Her performances for Wales this year have demonstrated the quality she possesses, but we also know there’s plenty more to come.”

Murphy also pointed to the significance of Aiono having come through the Hartpury pathway. “Jorja embodies what our pathway is about, and we’re looking forward to seeing her grow as part of this squad over the coming seasons.”

Aiono comes from a rugby-steeped background. Her Samoan father, Nio, played for several clubs across South Wales, while her uncle Afa Aiono captained the Samoa Sevens side.

The player herself described the re-signing as a natural progression. “Having come through the Hartpury pathway, it feels like the natural next step in my journey,” Aiono said. “This season has been really special for me, making my Wales debut and experiencing Premiership Women’s Rugby for the first time. Those opportunities have only made me more motivated to keep improving, and I know Gloucester Hartpury is the best place for me to do that.”