Callender returns to boost Wales for Ireland game
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)
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