YORK VALKYRIE coach Leon Pryce has hailed the impact of returning star Tara Jane Stanley, who made her long awaited comeback at the start of the Super Four campaign after almost two years out with a knee injury.
Having picked up the anterior cruciate ligament injury against Leeds at AMT Headingley in September 2024, the former Woman of Steel faced two separate surgeries and a long road to recovery as she remained determined to pull on the boots and play the game once again.
In something of a full-circle moment, Stanley made her long awaited return at Leeds in the first game of the Super Four stage, and has been part of Pryce’s squad since.
It didn’t take long for her to get back to her best, putting in a player-of-the-match performance when York beat Leeds at home in just her third game back, then impressing again last Friday in a victory at St Helens.
“She’s X factor isn’t she?” said Pryce said of Stanley, who despite making her name as a fullback, has been playing in the halves since her return.
“She’s got the swag, she’s got the step, she understands the game and she has got a good rugby IQ.
“We probably saw in her first two games her body and her brain getting back up to speed after not playing for two years.
“But against Leeds she was unbelievable and we are delighted to have her back on the pitch with us. She deserves it.”