Ash Walker will keep busy during the Super W rugby off season, after joining the Hunter Wildfires for the upcoming Jack Scott Cup season.
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Walker is coming off a superb debut season with the Melbourne Rebels in the premier women's rugby competition, being named in RUGBY.com.au's Super W Team of the Year as well as being voted the competition's best player.
It will be the first time the Wildfires will feature in the Jack Scott Cup and it'll provide the club an opportunity to play against some quality opposition.
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Walker hasn't had much opportunity to train with her new club, forced to self isolate after returning from Melbourne, but she's looking forward to the upcoming season.
"This is the first year Hunter has put a team in the Sydney comp so it's going to be a little bit messy at the start while we learn how to gel as a team on the field," she said.
"The team has never played a game together. The girls are all really positive and enthusiastic though so I think we're in for a good season."
Walker's experience with the Rebels will be really valuable as she joins up with her new team.
"A lot of the girls we'll come up against in the Sydney teams play for NSW so it's good to go in with that kind of exposure," she said.
Rebels coach Alana Thomas praised Walker and was happy to see her join the Wildfires as "getting some rugby into her is important."
"She is an absolute star of the future, particularly in the 15s," Thomas said.
"I am really looking forward to seeing the Wallaroos get on the paddock and hopefully her breaking into that squad.
"She is definitely on the radar at the moment. She is definitely a phenomenal talent."
Right now, Walker is just looking forward to getting back to playing some rugby and continuing to improve.
"I'm keen to keep my thumb on the pulse of some good rugby, learn what I can from new coaches and have a bit of fun," she said.
"For the team, I just want to see us work towards playing some good running rugby and stringing solid phases together."
The Wildfires have the bye when the Jack Scott Cup kicks off this Saturday, but will be in action against Sydney University in round two.
