How many 19/20-year-old amateur players have excelled in their first season as a pro, in a competition as big and hard as the Premiership Women’s Rugby? A very few, right?
For Claudia Peña-Hidalgo, it seemed just the other day that she was playing in the Spanish Liga Iberdrola, when she started for the Harlequins for the first time, helping her new team land a one-point win at the StoneX Stadium.
After helping her country qualify for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, and winning WXV 3 2024, Peña-Hidalgo hopped on the plane, leaving her family behind to fight for the dream of becoming a Premiership Women’s Rugby personnel.
‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025
In her first four months at the Stoop, she dotted down three tries and started in seven games, five of which as a centre. Was she ready to play as a 13 for the Harlequins?
“At my former club, I used to play as an outside centre, so it wasn’t a strange feeling when I first got picked to play as a 13 for the Harlequins,” she said. “Even in the national team, I started to play as a centre. I ended up as a fullback, which made me happy.
“I felt at home when our head coach, Ross Chisholm, picked me to play as a 13. It was like going back to my days as a Barça Rugby player. Everything felt natural, and it went even better because of the support and help of my teammates.”
So, what does she prefer: to be a centre or a fullback? Or are both roles the same?
“They are completely different positions. I enjoy playing more as a fullback, as I have more space and can run wherever I feel like it. But, as a centre, I can involve myself more in the defensive work, and even as a carrier, I end up having more chances to carry the ball.
“Another enticing thing that you can do as an outside centre, is to help set up the attacking plan alongside the fly-half. I love the challenge of playing in different positions as it challenges me to keep growing and evolving as a player.”
Having only ever played in Spain, Peña-Hidalgo started to feel the need to challenge herself and find new goals, and the Harlequins came at the right time.
“When Harlequins first called me, I was trying to find a new path to grow as a player. I wanted to be challenged, to play against stronger, quicker and more professional oppositions. ‘Bimba’ Delgado [Laura Delgado] called me, saying ‘Pack your bags, and come with me to play for the Harlequins’. I couldn’t say no to that challenge, and I instantly agreed to go.
A message to you, from Clàudia Peña 🇪🇸#COYQ pic.twitter.com/2bFcxxRMGD
— Harlequins Women 🃏 (@HarlequinsWomen) June 21, 2024
“Fast forward to my debut at the Stoop and the first thing that sprung to my mind was how chulo [it means cool in Spanish] it all was. From the beautiful grounds to our hardcore fans, everything was incredible. It went great, especially because my teammates made me feel at ease and pushed me to do my best. I have no words for how Ross [Chisholm] has trusted in me since day one.”
The adaptation to the pro game in England was a quick one, with head coach Ross Chisholm playing a key role in making Peña-Hidalgo realise she only needed to be herself.
“I had the idea that maybe I would have to completely change how I play. However, that wasn’t the case. Ross told me I had to be myself. Of course, I had to adapt to my teammates, to understand how they work and play, and find ways to fit into the mould, but without changing how I envisioned the game.”
And what about Ellie Kildunne? Has she shared a secret or two with her new teammate?
“Oh, she has definitely already taught me a thing or two! She is an incredible teammate and has shared some of that rugby knowledge with me. Ellie makes it easy for me to learn how to play with her, even when she goes into that ‘free roam’ mode. Her unpredictability is an amazing thing to watch, and for me, that makes her the best player in the World.”
Veteran and Spanish legend Delgado, was the link between the utility back and the Harlequins, making it possible for Peña-Hidalgo to have her first big break, something she won’t ever forget,
“Laura Delgado has been like a big sister. Or maybe like a grandmother, as she is so wise and always says the right things. You know she is our ‘Abuela’, which means grandmother in Spanish, in the national team, right? She is so focused on helping everyone, making sure we are okay and happy. I have no words for what she has done for me, and I am here at the Harlequins because of her.”
Watching Peña-Hidalgo play is like watching a well-tuned suave John Williams orchestra that can transition to a Hans Zimmer one in a matter of seconds. So where does all that eccentricity and excitement come from?
“I really don’t know, if I am honest! I always enjoyed playing rugby, as it was the sport that made me feel at home and happy. I always loved to be involved in those mini-games that pushed you to have fun and try new things, to not fear trying out different moves. I think that helped me to adapt more quickly to the Harlequins and Premiership Women’s Rugby. For me, the mindset of not being afraid to fail has helped me to become a better player and athlete.”
On the 28th of December, Harlequins and Leicester Tigers faced each other at Twickenham, with both the men’s and women’s teams stepping out on one of the most fabled rugby grounds of all time. Peña-Hidalgo retells that day and how insane and incredible it was,
“I was not expecting how big it would be, especially because I have never gone to Twickenham before. So, imagine my surprise when we got there to do the captain’s run the day before the match against the Tigers. I was like ‘Madre mía, what is this? This is incredible!’. The artificial pitches, the gyms, the wide stands, etc. Everything was so impressive.
Clàudia Peña showing her quality 🤩😮💨#COYQ #BigGame16 #HARvLEI
pic.twitter.com/50pgmDPNMJ
— Harlequins Women 🃏 (@HarlequinsWomen) December 28, 2024
“It got even better the next day, as it was filled to the brim with fans, chanting our names and supporting us. I enjoyed every second of it. It was a moment I will never forget, and I got to share it with my family, who travelled and watched me play at rugby’s most legendary stadium.”
With two months to go until the Premiership Women’s Rugby final, we challenged Peña-Hidalgo to reveal her goals.
“The biggest objective is to win the Premiership. We have to qualify first for the semi-finals, and I would say that is our first goal. We are working hard in all chapters, from analysing the game to a large extent, honing our skills and becoming more attuned to each other.
“It is the basis of a winning team, and I think that’s what has made the difference between us and most of the competition. Personally, I want to help my team, be it as a centre, wing or fullback, or by being the best teammate possible.”
Having had a taste of the World Series, WXV and Premiership Women’s Rugby, what does she think are the similarities between the men’s and women’s games?
“It is important to state that the men’s and women’s games are different. In my opinion, the women’s game is more structured and less physical. We try to play rugby more smartly, finding ways to keep the game alive and pulsating.
“In the end, Premiership Women’s Rugby has also become the standard because of the significant number of international players that have joined the league. The clubs have more resources, and the union has developed a cunning way of boosting local talent. The insane depth of the Red Roses is a testament to the symbiotic relationship between all.
“Most of the other countries don’t have the same resources, and in Spain, for example, some clubs can’t even pick a full 23 for their games. The lack of infrastructure is detrimental to the game’s growth.”
Peña-Hidalgo was raised in Barça Rugby and having experienced the highs and lows of the amateur side of the game, she quickly explains why there’s still a gap between them and the top-tier nations.
“I think the gap between the top-ranked World Rugby teams and the others all comes down to the resources you have at your disposal. I came to England not because I wanted to earn some money to do what I love, but to be able to do it in the right atmosphere and resources, so I could become a better player to help my country to progress.”
Her decision to leave Barcelona and Spain didn’t come easy, and came from a place of necessity to pursue something more.
“I sometimes feel that I might’ve been a bit selfish by choosing to leave my teammates in Spain and come to the Premiership. But I felt I wasn’t progressing as much as I wanted and needed to find the right tools to keep getting better and be useful to my national team.
It’s a vicious cycle, as the teams need better infrastructures, but without the best players they can’t make their case, and if the best players don’t have the tools to progress, they will stagnate, etc. I came to England with the intent to show how talented Spanish rugby players are, and why we need to be supported and looked after. We are growing as a country, we just need to keep pushing, believing and working with the right set of tools.”
With that being said, how important can the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup be for the future of nations like Spain?
“The Women’s World Cup will be important for us. We need to play well, be ambitious and show that we can challenge those at the top. If we fail to impress, we might not get the needed funding to enhance our training/playing conditions.
“There’s a lot on the line, and we certainly want to cash in on all the hard work, the late hours of training, and the long weeks without our loved ones. We want to prove that we are a good bet not only for new sponsors but for young girls who might be interested in joining rugby from watching us play in the World Cup.”
Peña-Hidalgo hasn’t been the only newcomer making an impact at the Premiership Women’s Rugby, as the biggest rugby star on the planet has also joined the league: Ilona Maher.
Can we compare the United States international to the likes of LeBron James, Lionel Messi, and the rest?
“We can’t compare Ilona Maher to those football or basketball players. She didn’t become that well known only because of her skills as a player, she got to that level because of her openness to talking about certain subjects that most avoided talking about.
“She is willing to discuss our bodies, burdens, hurdles, inclusivity, and so many other things that are part of our lives as women athletes. What she has done for all is sensational, breaking certain stereotypes and false ideas. Be it on or off the pitch, she has done spectacularly well, and I am proud of what she has achieved.”
As the Harlequins-Bristol fixture is fast approaching, is Peña-Hidalgo ready to handle the bone-crusher Ilona Maher?
“I think people might not remember, but I have already tackled Ilona Maher a couple of times when we faced each other in the Sevens World Series. The first time happened after a scrum… I remember seeing her changing sides milliseconds before the ball was put in, and so I followed her. I thought ‘Vamos, this is easy.
“I just have to go low and put my shoulder into it. It doesn’t matter if you are big, small, or strong, you will fall if you are tackled low. And well, I tackled her! I am eager for the game against Bristol in February.”
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Author : rugby-247
Publish date : 2025-01-21 11:24:55
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