They may have enjoyed their best ever season in 2009 after claiming the RBS Women's Six Nations Triple Crown and a first defeat of England in 22 years of trying, but Wales Women's coach Jason Lewis believes there is still more to come from his side.
Wales finished as runners up in the Six Nations, a 27-5 defeat in France denying them a Grand Slam after victories over Ireland, Scotland and England - the latter 16-15 victory sealed only with Non Evans' last minute penalty kick in Cardiff.
"We can look back and see that it was the most successful year in women's rugby but in my coach's mind, I'm still left with what could have been a Grand Slam," admitted Lewis. "I think there is still more in the tank."
Lewis has recently named a 34-strong training squad for the season ahead, which will see Wales play Sweden in November, the Six Nations in February and March and then the Women's Rugby World Cup in England later in the year.
Six members of the training squad are uncapped, including Cardiff Quins fly half Elinor Snowsill who captained Wales' Under 20 side last season and has made rapid progress since switching to rugby from football.
Setting sights high
"It's a strong squad and we're probably flying in the face in terms of national squads as we've increased the group to 34," added Lewis. "I want to create a really competitive environment within the squad so no-one feels their place is secure. I think the squad is moving in the right direction.
"We aspire to be world champions. We're not so stupid as to think that is an easy task, it will be very tough.
"It will take a lot of work and lot of effort on my part, the players and management to get us competitive on the world stage but we are committed to that so who knows what can happen?"
Mellissa Berry continues as captain and hopes that the experiences of last season will stand them in good stead for the important year ahead as Wales return to the Women's Rugby World Cup stage, having last played in 2002.
"Winning the Triple Crown and beating England was a good stepping stone for us. It gave us a lot of self belief in our ability to take every game at a time and win those games," admitted Berry.
"Once again this season, we will look to play our autumn and Six Nations games to the best of our ability while using them as a stepping stone towards the World Cup at the end of the season."
Wales Women training squad:
Forwards: Mellissa Berry (Blaydon, captain), Jenny Davies (Waterloo), Claire Horgan (Saracens), Louise Horgan (Saracens), Hannah Roberts (UWIC), Catrin Edwards (Cardiff Quins), Becky Newton* (Cardiff Quins), Rhian Bowden (UWIC), Gemma Hallett (Pontyclun), Rachel Taylor (Cardiff Quins), Claire Donovan (Saracens), Beth Hawke (Bristol Ladies), Jamie Kift (Bristol Ladies), Carys John (UWIC), Catrina Nicholas (Cardiff Quins), Hannah Torangi (UWIC), Lisa Newton* (UWIC)
Backs: Amy Day (Bristol Ladies), Laura Prosser (Cardiff Quins), Laura Marsh* (Woodbridge), Awen Thomas (Cardiff Quins), Naomi Thomas (Cardiff Quins), Elinor Snowsill* (Cardiff Quins), Clare Flowers (Bristol Ladies), Rachel Poolman (UWIC), Kaye Rees* (Harlequins), Ceri Redman* (UWIC), Heledd Stephens (UWIC), Louise Rickard (Woodbridge), Hayley Baxter (Cardiff Quins), Non Evans (Clifton), MAred Evans (UWIC), Aimee Young (UWIC), Alison Wright (Oakmeadians).
* Denotes uncapped player
