New Wales boss Lynn names extended Six Nations training squad

BBC News

03-03-2025

New head coach Sean Lynn has named a 48-player training squad ahead of Wales' 2025 Six Nations campaign.The Gloucester-Hartpury head coach was named as Ioan Cunningham's successor in January and has named an extended training squad around the 15 Welsh internationals who featured in the Women's Premier Rugby semi-finals.Lynn's Gloucester-Hartpury take on Saracens in the final on 16 March at StoneX Stadium - with the Swansea-born head coach then taking charge of Wales permanently for the Six Nations.Keira Bevan and Alex Callender have been appointed as vice-captains to support captain Hannah Jones.The squad also includes a number of players from the Celtic Challenge's two Welsh sides, Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder."It's exciting to get to name a first Wales training squad and one full of experienced international players, playing well for their clubs and young exciting players who have shone in the Celtic Challenge," said Lynn."To have so many Welsh internationals feature in the PWR semi-finals is a testimony to the players quality and to their performances with their clubs."As coaches we have selected players who have really impressed and put their hands up playing for Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge."
The impressive form of Gwalia - who have won five of their seven games and sit third in the league table - has ensured players including Bryonie King, Gwennan Hopkins, Alaw Pyrs, Maisie Davies and Sian Jones feature under Lynn.Thunder's Natalia John, Hannah Bluck, Lucy Isaac and Cadi-Lois Davies are also included.Isla McMullen, Seren Lockwood, Shanelle Williams and Jorja Aiono will join the senior squad from the Under-18s set-up as players of national interest."My rugby philosophy has always been about finding, nurturing and supporting young players and giving them the opportunity to reach their full potential," added Lynn."We have selected a group of young Welsh players from age-grade rugby so the coaches and staff can assess where they are but also so they can experience an international environment and the standards expected at this level."The Celtic Challenge players and the age-grade players are the future Wales family and have been identified because we believe they have talent to make an impact at the highest level now or in the future."Wales begin their Six Nations campaign in Scotland on 22 March before hosting England in Cardiff a week later.Lynn's side then travel to France on 12 April before welcoming Ireland to Wales eight days later.Wales conclude their campaign with a trip to Italy on 26 April.
Wales' 48-player extended 2025 Six Nations training squad
Forwards: Gwenllian Pyrs, Maisie Davies, Abbey Constable, Stella Orin, Allie Watkins, Meg Lewis, Kelsey Jones, Carys Phillips, Rosie Carr, Molly Reardon, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble, Cadi-Lois Davies, Abbie Fleming, Robyn Davies, Georgia Evans, Natalia John, Alaw Pyrs, Gwen Crabb, Lily Terry, Alex Callender, Alisha Butchers, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Gwennan Hopkins, Lucy Isaac, Bryonie KingBacks: Keira Bevan, Sian Jones, Meg Davies, Ffion Lewis, Seren Singleton, Lleucu George, Kayleigh Powell, Robyn Wilkins, Courtney Keight, Hannah Jones (capt), Carys Cox, Kerin Lake, Hannah Bluck, Meg Webb, Savannah Picton-Powell, Nel Metcalfe, Catherine Richards, Lisa Neumann, Jasmine Joyce, Jenny Hesketh, Niamh Terry