Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency/Getty ImagesImage caption, Wales being their Six Nations campaign at home to Scotland
ByCeri Coleman-PhillipsBBC Sport Wales- Published1 hour ago
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Head coach Sean Lynn has named nine uncapped players in a new-look Wales squad for the 2026 Women's Six Nations.
Lynn has selected 38 players based on form and the amount of game-time players have had in the Premiership Women's Rugby (PRW) and Celtic Challenge.
Kate Williams will take on the sole captaincy after Alex Callender was ruled out of the tournament with an ankle injury.
Lynn will also be without the injured Nel Metcalfe, one of a few shining lights in a winless 2025 World Cup, while Kerin Lake and Robyn Wilkins have retired.
Familiar foes await in Wales' opener at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, 11 April, with Scotland up first having also been the opening opponents in last year's Six Nations and World Cup.
Wales will be hoping to avoid a third consecutive Wooden Spoon after suffering a first whitewash in their history last year.
The new faces for 2026 include a host of players who featured in the Celtic Challenge, with Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning both reaching last weekend's semi-finals before bowing out.
Props Stella Orrin and Elan Jones, number eight Jorja Aiono, centres Savannah Picton-Powell and Kelsie Webster and wings Nikita Prothero and Seren Singleton are all in line for first caps, along with versatile Loughborough Lightning forward Kendall Waudby and Bristol Bears centre Jenna De Vera.
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Returning stalwarts
There is also a place in the squad for Alisha Joyce (nee Butchers) who missed last year's Six Nations and World Cup with her pregnancy.
She made her comeback off the bench for Thunder last weekend, 123 days after giving birth to her and wife Jasmine Joyce's son Ralphie.
Natalia John also returns after missing out on selection in 2025, having impressed for Thunder this season, but there is no place for fellow lock Abbie Fleming, who had been a key player under the previous regime but has struggled for game-time with Harlequins this campaign.
Jenny Hesketh, Gwennan Hopkins, Hannah Bluck, Catherine Richards, Meg Davies and Abbey Constable are among other names who did not make the cut.
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Sean Lynn has brought in new assistant coaches this year
A fresh start
"This is a new-look Wales squad, and we made it clear at the start of the season we would select players who were playing regular club rugby in the PWR and the Celtic Challenge," said Lynn.
"We have named 25 players who have Celtic Challenge rugby under their belts, and we have really been impressed by the young Welsh talent now coming through our pathway and playing regularly."
Lynn added: "This is the start of a new four-year World Cup cycle, it is a fresh start, and we need to look to the future and that means giving players an opportunity to taste Test match rugby.
"We have a good blend of experienced internationals and new faces, and selection was driven by those who have demonstrated an appetite to learn and a desire to work hard.
"Alisha Joyce returns and has impressed us all with the work and determination she has shown to get back playing rugby. Butch is an experienced international and knows what is expected and to see her play 123 days after having her son Ralphie is a real inspiration to everyone."
Wales Six Nations squad
Forwards: Gwenllian Pyrs, Maisie Davies, Katherine Baverstock, Stella Orrin, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Donna Rose, Elan Jones, Jenni Scoble, Kelsey Jones, Molly Reardon, Carys Phillips, Kendall Waudby, Gwen Crabb, Tilly Vucaj, Alaw Pyrs, Natalia John, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Bryonie King, Jorja Aiono, Branwen Metcalfe, Georgia Evans, Alisha Joyce
Backs: Keira Bevan, Sian Jones, Seren Lockwood, Lleucu George, Kayleigh Powell, Courtney Keight, Hannah Dallavalle, Jenna De Vera, Savannah Picton-Powell, Kelsie Webster, Jasmine Joyce, Lisa Neumann, Carys Cox, Nikita Prothero, Seren Singleton.
