Latest news with #AlexCallender
BBC News
21 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Callender raring to go for Wales after World Cup injury scare
Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Scotland v WalesVenue: Salford Community Stadium Date: Saturday, 23 August Kick-off: 14:45 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online and BBC Sounds Alex Callender has handed Wales a major fitness boost ahead of their crucial Rugby World Cup opener against co-captain had been named in Wales' 32-player squad on Monday, but there were doubts whether the Harlequins back row would feature against their Six Nations rivals on 23 picked up an ankle injury in the second Test defeat against Australia on 1 August, with the sight of her on crutches fuelling fears her tournament could be over before it had begun. But the 25-year-old allayed those fears on Tuesday, confirming her selection availability for when head coach Sean Lynn names his side for their opener in Salford. "It was a precaution to take me off, I just tweaked an old injury, but I'm raring to go for Scotland," Callender said. Callender sat out most of the Six Nations with an ankle injury she picked up while playing for Harlequins, but showed what a miss she had been in Wales' impressive first Test win against the Wallaroos in Brisbane, topping the statistics for tackles and admitted her first thoughts were "Oh God, here we go" when she went down just four minutes into the second Test in asked if she thought her World Cup was over, she added: "Yes, to be honest but I'm in a really good place at the moment, I'm just excited to get going."Lynn said they will manage their star back row carefully, but added reassurance that Wales were "all on track" heading into the Scotland game. Wales' opening game is already being billed as their World Cup final, with Pool B also containing a Canada ranked second in the world and widely expected to top the managed by Wales' former head coach Ioan Cunningham, will also be fighting for one of two spots to the knockout the fixture seems like a deja vu, you would be right. It is exactly the same scenario from the last World Cup. Fortunately for Wales, they edged that contest against the Scots thanks to a last-minute penalty kicked by Keira Bevan."We live for these moments and these Test matches," said Callender."We're all really excited to step out and showcase all the hard work that we've put in over the last couple of months, and hopefully we can put in a performance and the result will follow."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Callender in Wales' World Cup squad despite injury
Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Scotland v Wales Venue: Salford Community Stadium Date: Saturday 23 August Kick-off: 14:45 BST Coverage: Live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online and BBC Sounds Co-captain Alex Callender is included in Wales' Rugby World Cup squad despite suffering a concerning ankle injury earlier this month. The star back row limped off just four minutes into the second Test against Australia on 1 August before returning to the sideline in a boot and on crutches. Head coach Sean Lynn has included all 30 players he took on the summer tour, along with experienced centre Kerin Lake and uncapped Wales Under-20 captain Branwen Metcalfe. Kate Williams will share captaincy duties with Callender as she did in Australia, but the Wales camp has yet to confirm if Callender will be fit for the team's opener against Scotland in Manchester on 23 August. Wales' other Pool B matches see them take on the second best team in the world in Canada at the same venue on 30 August, before travelling down to Exeter's Sandy Park a week later for a reunion with former head coach Ioan Cunningham, who is now in charge of Fiji. The top two teams in each of the four pools progress to the knock-out stages, with the final hosted at Twickenham on 27 September. Women's Rugby World Cup fixtures and BBC coverage Wallaroos rain on Wales' parade as World Cup looms Metcalfe, 18, is the younger sister of full-back Nel Metcalfe and one of two pairs of sisters, along with prop Gwenllian Pyrs and lock Alaw Pyrs, to be selected in the squad. Wales hooker Carys Phillips is set to play in her fourth World Cup, while it will be a third outing for Hannah Jones, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Lleucu George, Kelsey Jones, Keira Bevan and Gwenllian Pyrs. It will be a first major tournament experience for Seren Lockwood, Katherine Baverstock and Tilly Vucaj, who all won their first caps in Australia. Carys Cox, Courtney Keight, Alaw Pyrs, Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Nel Metcalfe, Jenni Scoble, Catherine Richards, Bryonie King and Meg Davies will also make their World Cup debuts. There is no place in the squad for Natalia John, Hannah Bluck, Jenny Hesketh, Sian Jones or Robyn Wilkins, some due to injury. "The Wales squad selected is a mix of experience and exciting young talent that have all proved they deserve the opportunity to play on the biggest stage of a World Cup," said Lynn, who celebrated his first win in the opening Australia Test since taking charge in March. "As coaches, there were some tough calls on selection but this is the strongest squad we could have selected and we are looking forward to the challenge ahead of us. "For players, coaches and staff, this promises to be the pinnacle of all our careers and one that we are relishing. We know we are representing a proud rugby nation and we are determined to do the nation proud." Wales squad Forwards Katherine Baverstock (Leicester Tigers), Maisie Davies (Bristol Bears), Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Donna Rose (Saracens), Jenni Scoble (Gwalia Lightning), Sisilia Tuipulotu (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kelsey Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), Carys Phillips (Harlequins), Molly Reardon (Gwalia Lightning), Alex Callender (Harlequins), Gwen Crabb (Gloucester-Hartpury), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Abbie Fleming (Harlequins), Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning), Bethan Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury), Alaw Pyrs (Gloucester-Hartpury), Tilly Vucaj (Gwalia Lightning), Kate Williams (Gloucester-Hartpury), Branwen Metcalfe (Hartpury College) Backs Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears), Meg Davies (Gloucester-Hartpury), Seren Lockwood (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lleucu George (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kayleigh Powell (Harlequins), Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders), Hannah Dallavalle (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kerin Lake (Gwalia Lightning), Courtney Keight (Sale Sharks), Jasmine Joyce-Butchers (Bristol Bears), Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lisa Neumann (Harlequins), Catherine Richards (Gwalia Lightning)
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Callender in Wales' World Cup squad despite injury
Women's Rugby World Cup 2025: Scotland v WalesVenue: Salford Community Stadium Date: Saturday 23 August Kick-off: 14:45 BSTCoverage: Live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Online and BBC Sounds Co-captain Alex Callender is included in Wales' Rugby World Cup squad despite suffering a concerning ankle injury earlier this star back row limped off just four minutes into the second Test against Australia on 1 August before returning to the side line in a boot and on coach Sean Lynn has included all 30 players he took on the summer tour, along with experienced centre Kerin Lake and uncapped Wales Under-20 captain Branwen Metcalfe. Kate Williams will share captaincy duties with Callender as she did in Australia, but the Wales camp has yet to confirm if Callender will be fit for the team's opener against Scotland in Manchester on 23 August. Wales' other Pool B matches sees them take on the second best team in the world in Canada at the same venue on 30 August, before travelling down to Exeter's Sandy Park a week later for a reunion with former head coach Ioan Cunningham, who is now in charge of top two teams in each of the four pools progress to the knock-out stages, with the final hosted by Allianz Stadium on 27 September. Metcalfe, 18, is the younger sister of Wales full-back Nel Metcalfe and one of two pairs of sisters, along with prop Gwenllian Pyrs and lock Alaw Pyrs, to be selected in the squad. All four players began their playing careers at Clwb Rygbi Nant hooker Carys Phillips is set to play in her fourth World Cup, while it will be a third outing for Hannah Jones, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Lleucu George, Kelsey Jones, Keira Bevan and Gwenllian Pyrs. It will be a first major tournament experience for Seren Lockwood, Katherine Baverstock and Tilly Vucaj, who all won their first caps in Cox, Courtney Keight, Alaw Pyrs, Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Nel Metcalfe, Jenni Scoble, Catherine Richards, Bryonie King and Meg Davies will also make their World Cup is no place in the squad for Natalia John, Hannah Bluck, Jenny Hesketh, Sian Jones or Robyn Wilkins, some due to injury. "The Wales squad selected is a mix of experience and exciting young talent that have all proved they deserve the opportunity to play on the biggest stage of a World Cup," said Lynn. "As coaches, there were some tough calls on selection but this is the strongest squad we could have selected and we are looking forward to the challenge ahead of us. "For players, coaches and staff, this promises to be the pinnacle of all our careers and one that we are relishing. We know we are representing a proud rugby nation and we are determined to do the nation proud." Wales squad ForwardsKatherine Baverstock (Leicester Tigers), Maisie Davies (Bristol Bears), Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Donna Rose (Saracens), Jenni Scoble (Gwalia Lightning), Sisilia Tuipulotu (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kelsey Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), Carys Phillips (Harlequins), Molly Reardon (Gwalia Lightning), Alex Callender (Harlequins), Gwen Crabb (Gloucester-Hartpury), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Abbie Fleming (Harlequins), Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning), Bethan Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury), Alaw Pyrs (Gloucester-Hartpury), Tilly Vucaj (Gwalia Lightning), Kate Williams (Gloucester-Hartpury), Branwen Metcalfe (Hartpury College)BacksKeira Bevan (Bristol Bears), Meg Davies (Gloucester-Hartpury), Seren Lockwood (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lleucu George (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kayleigh Powell (Harlequins), Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders), Hannah Dallavalle (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kerin Lake (Gwalia Lightning), Courtney Keight (Sale Sharks), Jasmine Joyce-Butchers (Bristol Bears), Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lisa Neumann (Harlequins), Catherine Richards (Gwalia Lightning)
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wales face nervous wait on Callender injury
Wales are facing a nervous wait on an injury suffered by co-captain Alex Callender with the Rugby World Cup fast approaching. The influential number eight went down just four minutes into Wales' 36-5 second Test defeat in Sydney after turning her foot in a collision. Callender, 25, limped off gingerly before returning to the side line on crutches. "She will go for a scan as soon as possible," said Wales head coach Sean Lynn. "She's in a boot, we'll see what happens after the scan and go from there. I'll probably be able to give you a better update next week. "I've spoken to her, she's obviously upset, however she seems all good about herself, so fingers crossed." Wales suffer heavy Australia loss in final World Cup warm-up Australia 36-5 Wales: Visitors escape record loss with late call - reaction Lynn is due to name his 32-strong World Cup squad on 11 August, with their tournament opener against Scotland in Manchester on 23 August. Callender was outstanding in Wales' 21-12 win in the first Test in Brisbane, topping the statistics with 24 tackles, 16 carries and three turnovers. She was leading the side for the first time after being named co-captain for the tour of Australia and the Rugby World Cup with fellow back-rower Kate Williams. "I'm gutted for her, we were both excited to come into this game to see how we were going to work together for the World Cup," said Williams. "But it's rugby and things happen. Hopefully we'll get to do it a bit more in training and take it into Scotland."
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wales suffer heavy Australia defeat in final World Cup warm-up
Women's summer series Australia (21) 36 Tries: Stewart, Moleka, Amosa, Tuinakauvadra 2, Marsters Cons: Wood 3 Wales (5) 5 Tries: Joyce-Butchers Wales suffered a heavy defeat to Australia in their final World Cup warm-up. Sean Lynn's side had headed to Sydney full of confidence after an impressive showing in the first Test in Brisbane, but were completely outclassed at the Oval. Perhaps more concerning was a foot injury to co-captain Alex Callender who limped off early in the first half and returned to the sideline on crutches. She now has just over three weeks to recover before Wales' tournament opener against Scotland. Player of the match Tabua Tuinakauvadra claimed two tries for the hosts, while Maya Stewart crossed on her first appearance since May. Faitala Moleka, Katalina Amosa and Ashley Marsters were also on the scoresheet, while Wales were consoled with a try for Jasmine Joyce-Butchers on her 50th appearance. Wales dominated possession and territory in the opening 10 minutes, playing most of the rugby in Australia's 22 with Gwenllian Pyrs coming close, but it was the hosts who drew first blood. A cut out pass from Caitlyn Halse exposed Wales on the blindside with the returning Stewart running in the opening try. The score came against the run of play but Wales responded with Pyrs again leading the charge. Despite the driving rain, Wales managed to get the ball through the hands to find Joyce-Butchers in a rare bit of space and she needed no second invitation to cross. That would prove to be Wales' only score on a disappointing evening for Lynn's side. Australia played with a clinical edge that had been lacking last weekend, with Moleka easing her way over with a show and go. Wales' penalty count continued to rise under pressure and they conceded on the stroke of half-time with Katalina Amosa diving over a pile of bodies. It was more of the same after the break, Australia picking up where they left off. Tuinakauvadra had been a threat all game and she drove over in the corner as Wales struggled to live with the physicality of the Wallaroos. They were then dealt another blow with Pyrs sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on when Australia had been in another promising position. The fifth try came five minutes later, Tuinakauvadra again bulldozing over the defence with Wales now staring down the barrel of a record defeat to Australia, that coming last year at WXV2 where they lost 37-5 in South Africa. Australia's replacement Marsters powered over in the final five minutes to rub salt into Welsh wounds. She crossed again in the dying seconds, but to Wales' relief that effort was chalked off for a knock-on. Still, it was a sobering evening for the Welsh in Sydney. Australia: Caitlyn Halse; Maya Stewart, Georgina Friedrichs, Trilleen Pomare, Desiree Miller; Faitala Moleka, Samantha Wood; Faliki Pohiva, Katalina Amosa, Bridie O'Gorman, Kaitlan Leaney, Michaela Leonard, Piper Duck, Emily Chancellor (capt), Tabua Tuinakauvadra. Replacements: Tania Naden, Lydia Kavoa, Alapeta Ngauamo, Ashley Fernandez, Ashley Marsters, Layne Morgan, Tia Hinds, Waiaria Ellis. Wales: Nel Metcalfe; Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Carys Cox, Courtney Keight, Lisa Neumann; Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Gwen Crabb, Abbie Fleming, Kate Williams (co-capt), Bethan Lewis, Alex Callender (co-capt). Replacements: Molly Reardon, Maisie Davies, Jenni Scoble, Alaw Pyrs, Georgia Evans, Meg Davies, Hannah Dallavalle, Catherine Richards.
