Callender returns to boost Wales for Ireland game
Women's Six Nations: Wales v IrelandVenue: Rodney Parade Date: Sunday, 20 April Kick-off: 15:00 BSTCoverage: Watch on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online, listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru
Alex Callender returns to boost Wales for their penultimate Women's Six Nations game against Ireland on Sunday.The 24-year-old back row has been one of Wales' standout players in recent years, but has yet to feature in the campaign after injuring her foot with club side Harlequins.Callender slots straight into the starting XV at number eight as Wales go in hunt of their first win of 2025 and a first under new head coach Sean Lynn.Georgia Evans moves to the second row, while Kelsey Jones is preferred to Carys Phillips as starting hooker. Kayleigh Powell keeps her place at fly-half with Lleucu George, who missed the defeat in France, named among the replacements.Courtney Keight once again partners skipper Hannah Jones in the centre as Wales look to boost their physicality in the midfield.Replacement wing Catherine Richards is set for her first appearance of the tournament.
Wales are currently bottom of the Six Nations table after defeats to Scotland, England and France, while Ireland are third with their sole victory coming over Italy.Ireland won the last meeting between the sides, a 36-5 victory in Cork and arrive at Rodney Parade as firm favourites."This is our final game at home in the Guinness Six Nations and we need to keep building our performances and to focus on expanding our style of play and what we want to achieve as a squad," said Wales head coach Sean Lynn. "The players have bought into the attacking game we are implementing but we need to work harder for each other and to turn the pressure moments we are creating into points."We know what Ireland will bring, and they have proved their quality throughout the tournament."The players have been told to be brave and to express themselves and they have a licence to inspire on the field."
Line-ups
Wales: Jasmine Joyce; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (capt), Courtney Keight, Carys Cox; Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones, Jenni Scoble, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender.Replacements: Carys Phillips, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Alaw Pyrs, Sian Jones, Lleucu George, Catherine Richards.Ireland: TBCReplacements:
Officials
Referee: Lauren Jenner (FIR)Assistants: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR), Maria Heitor (FPR)TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)FPRO: Andrew McMenemy (SRU)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
25 minutes ago
- BBC News
All you need to know about Lions v Argentina
The British and Irish Lions kick off their 2025 tour against Argentina in Dublin on will be the first match the Lions have played in Ireland and one of six warm-up games they will play ahead of the three-match Test against the game against the Pumas, the Lions will fly to Perth and meet Western Force on 28 June with the first Test against Australia taking place in Brisbane on 19 Argentina's form, to team news and how to follow the game on BBC Sport - here's all you need to know. When is Lions v Argentina? The Lions face Argentina on Friday 20 June, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin with kick-off set for 20:00 BST. How can I follow the game on BBC Sport? You can follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app, with build-up starting from 19:00 BST. There will also be plenty of reaction and analysis. Make sure to follow BBC Sport's dedicated British and Irish Lions game is being shown live on Sky Sports, S4C and TG4. Argentina's recent form Argentina are ranked fifth in the world and took three wins from their six matches in last year's Rugby have beaten three of the four teams above them in the past 12 the only higher-ranked team to avoid recent defeat against Argentina, were pushed all the way in November in their most recent visit to Dublin's Aviva Stadium, as they dug out a 22-19 win. Argentina were beaten 37-23 by France in their last outing which also took place in the game in Dublin, Argentina will face England in Two test games in La Plata on 5 July and San Juan on 12 July. Team news Scotland's Sione Tuipulotu and Ireland's Bundee Aki will form the centre partnership for the Tuipulotu, who missed the Six Nations through injury, will be playing his first international rugby since Scotland's win over Australia in November and will pair up with Aki - despite both players appearing to be more natural inside coach Andy Farrell is still without the majority of those who featured in domestic finals last week, with Leinster hooker Ronan Kelleher - who is named on the bench - the only player to feature for their club side who will be on show at the captain Maro Itoje will lead the side for the first time while 14 of the 23-man squad will be representing the Lions for the first Argentina, hooker Julian Montoya will captain the Pumas, six days after losing the Premiership final with Carreras, who will move to Bath from Gloucester this summer, is at full-back with Tomas Albornoz at flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez is part of a back row completed by the experienced Pablo Matera and Perpignan number eight Joaquin Pumas are without several of their France-based players with Toulouse's versatile back Juan Cruz Mallia and Bordeaux-Begles second row Guido Petti involved in the Top 14 Thomas Gallo is also absent. Line-ups British and Irish Lions: Marcus Smith; Tommy Freeman, Sione Tuipulotu, Bundee Aki, Duhan van der Merwe; Fin Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Finlay Bealham, Maro Itoje, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jac Morgan, Ben Ronan Kelleher, Pierre Schoeman, Tadhg Furlong, Scott Cummings, Henry Pollock, Tomos Williams, Elliot Daly, Mack Santiago Carreras; Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Justo Piccardo, Ignacio Mendy; Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Garcia; Mayco Vivas, Julian Montoya (c), Joel Sclavi, Franco Molina, Pedro Rubiolo, Pablo Matera, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Joaquin OviedoReplacements: Bautista Bernasconi, Boris Wenger, Francisco Coria Marchetti, Santiago Grondona, Joaquin Moro, Simon Benitez Cruz, Matias Moroni, Santiago Cordero The view from both camps Lions head coach Andy Farrell: "You can tell with the excitement around the group, it shows what it means to them, we have seen it in how diligent they have been and how quickly they have come together as a group and the bond they have in such a short space of time."It is great to see, but it is best foot forward and all about the performance on Friday night because that is how we are all going to get judged, we want to do the shirt proud and represent the group properly."Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi: "We haven't been together for seven months and now getting together with lots of new faces it has been a challenge, but the guys have been magnificent."They are training with a lot of intensity, we are very pleased with how they adapted."We expect the best of the best from the British Isles, we know all their players and we expect them to be playing hard." Lions fixtures in full Friday, 20 June - Lions v Argentina, Dublin (Aviva Stadium)Saturday, 28 June - Lions v Western Force, Perth (Optus Stadium)Wednesday, 2 July - Lions v Queensland Reds, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)Saturday, 5 July - Lions v NSW Waratahs, Sydney (Allianz Stadium)Wednesday, 9 July - Lions v ACT Brumbies, Canberra (GIO Stadium)Saturday, 12 July - Lions v Invitational AU & NZ, Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)Saturday, 19 July - Lions v Australia, first Test, Brisbane (Suncorp Stadium)Tuesday, 22 July - Lions v First Nations & Pasifika XV, Melbourne (Marvel Stadium)Saturday, 26 July - Lions v Australia, second Test, Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground/MCG)Saturday, 2 August - Lions v Australia, third Test, Sydney (Accor Stadium)All matches kick off at 11:00 BST apart from the game in Dublin which starts at 20:00 BST
Wales Online
30 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Sam Warburton's new life after shock announcement and final act that changed everything
Sam Warburton's new life after shock announcement and final act that changed everything The Lions cohort of 2025 is embarking on their latest journey, but Warburton is among the pantheon of greats for the touring team Sam Warburton with his wife, Rachel, and three kids; Anna, Max and Lily (Image: Instagram/Sam Warburton ) It seems almost inconceivable it has been seven years this week since Sam Warburton stunned the rugby world when, at just 29, he announced his retirement from the sport. The Welsh rugby great left an indelible mark on the game for his achievements in the red of both Wales and the Lions. He has since carved out a fine career for himself following retirement and is renowned as one of the finest rugby pundits on our TV screens. When this summer's Lions kicks off on Friday night in Dublin, for the warm-up match against Argentina, he will be behind the microphone, providing his typically insightful, expert analysis. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. The former Wales and Lions captain had endured a career plagued by injuries and ultimately made the decision to walk away a year after leading the Lions to a memorable drawn series against New Zealand. He had taken time out from the sport after that tour and never actually played again. During a distinguished playing career, Warburton earned 74 Wales caps — 49 of them as captain — and won two Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam. He also led the Lions in two unbeaten Test series and made 106 appearances for Cardiff, helping the Arms Park side lift the Amlin Challenge Cup in 2010. Sam Warburton's new career Seven years on, Warburton has carved out a successful second act as a respected pundit. He is a lead analyst for BBC's coverage of the Six Nations and a familiar voice on the Rugby Union Weekly podcast. His work also includes media columns with The Times and his own podcast, Captains, while he is also a regular fixture on TNT Sport's Premiership coverage. This summer, he is part of Sky Sports' Lions punditry team. Article continues below Outside of broadcasting, he runs the SW7 Academy, a fitness programme designed for athletes of all abilities. In 2023, Warburton returned to Cardiff Rugby as a board member, having previously had a brief spell in an advisory role before joining Wayne Pivac's Wales coaching team. However, with Cardiff Rugby having fallen into administration and then being bought out by the WRU, Warburton announced his resignation from the board back in April. He cited the demands of his media commitments and his staunch belief in reducing the number of regional sides in Welsh rugby as being key factors in his decision to step down from the board at Cardiff Rugby. He has rarely shied away from voicing strong and passionate opinions about the game. He recently reignited debate around relegation from the Six Nations, suggesting that the bottom-placed team should face a play-off — particularly if Wales finish with the Wooden Spoon again. He has long advocated for the inclusion of dominant Rugby Europe champions Georgia in the top tier and, of course, reducing the number of professional rugby clubs in Wales. Off the field, Warburton's life is grounded in family. He married childhood sweetheart Rachel Thomas in 2014, and the couple — who grew up on the same street in Cardiff — now have three children. 'Three little ones and a dog — we're done!' he joked after the birth of their youngest, Lily, in 2023. Looking back, Warburton has no regrets about retiring young. Speaking on a podcast with Dr Alex George, he reflected: 'Do I miss it? Absolutely not. I loved it when I did it, but the reward of a long, healthy family life outweighed the risk of continuing to play rugby.' Warburton, who was awarded an OBE in 2018, remains one of Welsh rugby's most admired figures — not just for what he achieved on the pitch, but for the clear-sighted, grounded life he's built since stepping away. The final act of a great rugby career Indeed, perhaps his final act on a rugby pitch summed him up best – and is pertinent given the Lions tour is just about to get under way in earnest once again. Warburton was at the centre of a defining moment at the end of a gruelling, nail-biting and tightly-fought contest between the Lions and New Zealand in 2017. 'In a Test career full of great moments, one in particular sticks in my mind,' said Warren Gatland, the then Lions coach, at the time. 'His captaincy in the third Test for the Lions in New Zealand, in a game finely balanced and potentially historic, was exemplary. The New Zealand media were mightily impressed by him, and rightly so.' Gatland was referring to the final stages of the decisive third Test at Eden Park, where the Lions and All Blacks were level at 15-15. In the dying minutes, referee Romain Poite appeared poised to award New Zealand a match-winning penalty after Ken Owens had picked up a knock-on from Liam Williams in an offside position. The decision to penalise Ken Owens was not upheld thanks to Sam Warburton But Warburton, demonstrating composure and awareness under extreme pressure, calmly asked the referee to review the decision for potential accidental offside. After a video review, the penalty was downgraded to a scrum — a ruling that preserved the draw and ensured the Lions shared the series with the world champions. Warburton later explained: 'It's a shot to nothing at that point. I just asked him to check for the accidental offside. The whole game [Poite] was receptive to having another look at things he might not have seen clearly at first. 'I'm glad it was a scrum instead. When you think back to the World Cup when that happened with Scotland and Australia and they kicked the penalty — the Scots were angry, and I remember thinking there has to be an alternative. In my opinion, it wasn't a penalty offence.' Article continues below That moment is widely seen as Warburton's final significant act on a rugby field — and one that encapsulated the respect he commanded from officials, team-mates and opponents alike. Gatland's decision to appoint Warburton as Wales captain at just 22 was vindicated time and again. 'Referees listened to him because they admired his decency,' Gatland said. 'He showed everyone respect, and they respected him in return.' That split-second decision in Auckland — not a crunching tackle or a game-breaking turnover — is what Gatland believes defines Warburton's legacy: calm, intelligent, and unshakably principled.
Scottish Sun
36 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Wales boss jokes Sophie Ingle made her 'look foolish' in training before Euros
Veteran Wales ace included in Rhian Wilkinson's squad despite being sidelined by a serious knee injury last season INGLE TINGLE Wales boss jokes Sophie Ingle made her 'look foolish' in training before being named in Women's Euros squad RHIAN WILKINSON joked Sophie Ingle caused her minor embarrassment in a training session as Wales ramped up their Euros preparations. The ex-Chelsea star, 33, has defied the odds to make it into Wilkinson's 23-strong group despite being crocked for all of last term. Advertisement 4 Sophie Inglehas been included in Wales' squad with the team to compete in a Euros for the first time this summer Credit: Getty 4 Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson marked the announcement of her squad for the Euros by walking to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (also known as Mount Snowdon) Credit: PA 4 Veteran playmaker Jess Fishlock who is Wales' most capped international player is one of seven midfielders included in their Euros squad Credit: Sportsfile While Ingle brings considerable international experience, the 141-capped midfielder has not played a game since rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament last September. The Wales ace sustained the injury during Chelsea's pre-season friendly clash with Dutch side Feyenoord but has since worked her way back to fitness. Her return to the international squad comes less than two weeks ahead of them competing in a Euros for the first time ever. Head coach Wilkinson, 43, said: "Sophie made me look foolish on Wednesday, I should never jump into training anymore, it's not good for my ego! Advertisement Read More Football Stories FOOD AWAKENING Astonishing Club World Cup prices revealed with beer costing £12.30 a CAN "We needed to make sure that Sophie Ingle was in a good place. "She's still on her path to full fitness but she's in a position now where she can contribute which is important for us." "She has to be able to contribute in some way, that was the pre-requisite that I had. "When she was able to meet that she was straight into the squad." Advertisement Wilkinson was speaking earlier today after naming her Euros squad ahead of Wales' major tournament debut next month. Ingle, who has 141 caps, is one of four Wales centurions included in the group. Playmaker Jess Fishlock, 38, Hayley Ladd, 31, and skipper Angharad James-Turner, 31, are the other three in a squad who will battle Holland , France and holders England in the group stage. When asked what role she expects Ingle to play, Wilkinson added 'I don't want to get into that specifically because Sophie's pushing, she's looking really good in training.' Advertisement With Wales competing in a group with two Euros-winning sides, they will face a fierce battle to reach the European Championship knockouts. But striker Elise Hughes insists the Group D underdogs will be looking to win their clashes against three of the top ten national sides. 4 Elise Hughes insists Wales will be looking to test the resolve of their rivals group stage rivals England, France and the Netherlands Credit: Getty The Crystal Palace striker, 24, said: "It's meant to be the best nations in Europe going to compete against each other. Advertisement "We're definitely there to compete and we're definitely there to win games as well. "We're not just there to enjoy the summer, but hopefully we do enjoy this summer and we go as far as possible."
