New Wales head coach Sean Lynn has unveiled a 48-player training squad ahead of the 2025 Women's Six Nations, marking his first major step in charge of the national team.
The squad features a mix of experienced internationals and emerging talents, as Wales look to bounce back from a disappointing Six Nations campaign last year.
Lynn, who was appointed as Ioan Cunningham’s successor in January, has built his squad around the 15 Welsh internationals who reached the Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) semi-finals.
His current club, Gloucester-Hartpury, will compete in the PWR final against Saracens on 16 March at StoneX Stadium.
After that, the Swansea-born coach will take full charge of Wales for the Six Nations.
Captain Hannah Jones will lead the side, with Keira Bevan and Alex Callender named as vice-captains.
Lynn has also included a number of players from Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder, the two Welsh teams competing in the Celtic Challenge, recognising their impressive performances in the competition.
"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."
The success of Gwalia Lightning, who have won five of their seven games in the Celtic Challenge, has earned call-ups for Bryonie King, Gwennan Hopkins, Alaw Pyrs, Maisie Davies, and Sian Jones.
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Meanwhile, Brython Thunder’s Natalia John, Hannah Bluck, Lucy Isaac, and Cadi-Lois Davies also make the squad.
Additionally, Lynn has brought in four players from the Under-18s set-up - Isla McMullen, Seren Lockwood, Shanelle Williams, and Jorja Aiono - who have been identified 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," Lynn explained.
"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."
Lynn, who has spent recent weeks familiarising himself with the Wales set-up, has spoken of his excitement for the challenge ahead, believing there is untapped potential within the squad.
"Look, I think we’re a little bit of a sleeping beast and I’m really excited about taking on board and getting stuck into the Six Nations, travelling [to] Australia, really spending some good time with the family and then building into that World Cup," he said.
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The squad will begin their Six Nations campaign with an away match against Scotland on 22 March, followed by a home fixture against England in Cardiff a week later.
They will then travel to France on 12 April before hosting Ireland on 20 April, with their final match taking place in Italy on 26 April.
Before fully transitioning into his role as Wales head coach, Lynn still has unfinished business at Gloucester-Hartpury.
His team are on track for a third successive PWR title, with their final regular-season match against Harlequins this Friday and a home semi-final already secured.
Regardless of how his club tenure concludes, Lynn is aware that his long-standing chapter at Gloucester-Hartpury - where he has spent 24 years - will soon come to an emotional end.
"I’m an emotional guy, so I’m pretty sure there will be some [emotion] coming to the end of it," he admitted.
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 King
Backs: 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
