Wales announce squad for women's Euros
Wales have announced their squad for the women's Euros ahead of the start of the tournament next month.
The competition in Switzerland will be Wales women's first major tournament in their history.
The announcement was made by manager Rhian Wilkinson at the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Wales' highest mountain, on Thursday morning.
Angharad James has been named Cymru captain and is one of four female players with over 100 caps for the country, the others being Hayley Ladd, Sophie Ingle, and Wales's most-capped player Jess Fishlock, who has 162 appearances for her country.
Ingle returns to the squad after a period recovering from an ACL injury, with Wilkinson saying she was "still on her path to full fitness".
The squad will leave Cardiff on Sunday 22 June for a week-long training camp in Portugal, before they travel to Switzerland on 29 June.
Wales will begin their Euros campaign in Lucerne against 2017 tournament winners the Netherlands on 5 July.
The team will then travel to St Gallen to face France, who reached the semi-finals in 2017, on 9 July.
Rhian Wilkinson's women will then face reigning champions England on 13 July.
More than 2,000 Welsh fans are expected to be in attendance for each match.
Wales women choose 'spectacular setting' for announcement
Rob Harris
Sports correspondent
@RobHarris
This was the most spectacular setting for a sports squad announcement — the highest peak in Wales.
And while I took the small mountain train up to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), manager Rhian Wilkinson spent just under 90 minutes walking to the summit, distracting from the looming Euros pressure by listening to political podcasts.
It's the most perfect of days - showing Wales at its summer best, with the stunning landscape in full view under bright sun.
But the location symbolises the journey of Wales qualifying for their first major women's tournament.
Wilkinson spoke of the "baggage" and "feeling cursed" previously missing out before finally making it to the European Championship.
"It was always going to be an uphill battle," she said.
"We have used this mountain as an image throughout this campaign."
The headline name travelling to Switzerland is Jess Fishlock — the 38-year-old with the appearances and goals record.
The biggest relief will be felt by Sophie Ingle, who hasn't played for Chelsea since suffering an ACL injury last September.
What is the peak of their capabilities? Nothing unachievable. It is about being realistic facing holders England, 2017 winners the Netherlands, and 2022 semifinalists France.
At a news conference, Rhian Wilkinson said there had been "sleepless nights" as she decided on her 23-player squad.
"I hope I've been really clear, there's names that aren't on this list who've given everything for their country. And those phone calls where I had to break their heart were and are always going to be the worst part of my job," she said.
"Just a really great mix on this squad, which I think is exciting for me. Equally, for the Welsh public, a wonderful representation of the country."
Asked how far Wales would get in the tournament, the Canadian said she had a mentality of "Why not?"
"I think outside of Wales, people can think whatever they want, you can look at rankings and think whatever you want," Wilkinson added.
"Our goal is to show up and be really present and to deliver to the best of our ability. And I've said from the beginning that when you deliver consistent performances, results follow. So we won't chase results, but we will chase consistency."
The full Wales squad:
Goalkeepers
Olivia Clark
Poppy Soper
Safia Middleton-Patel
Defenders
Charlie Estcourt
Gemma Evans
Josie Green
Hayley Ladd
Esther Morgan
Ella Powell
Rhiannon Roberts
Lily Woodham
Midfield
Jess Fishlock
Alice Griffiths
Ceri Holland
Sophie Ingle
Angharad James
Lois Joel
Rachel Rowe
Forwards
Kayleigh Barton
Hannah Cain
Elise Hughes
Carrie Jones
Ffion Morgan
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