Alisha Joyce named in 38-player Wales squad for Six Nations

Four months after she gave birth Alisha Joyce has been named in Wales‘ squad for the Guinness Women’s Six Nations by head coach Sean Lynn.

Joyce gave bight to her son, Ralphie, in November and made her return to rugby for Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge last weekend in the tournament semi-finals.

Kate Williams will captain a squad that contains nine uncapped players. This includes props Stella Orrin and Elan Jones, hooker Kendall Waudby, No. 8 Jorja Aiono, centres Jenna De Vera, Savannah Picton-Powell and Kelsie Webster, and wings Nikita Prothero and Seren Singleton

The squad includes 25 players that took part in 2025/26 Celtic Challenge campaign, with seven of those uncapped players having been regular features for Brython Thunder and Gwalia Lightning.

Sean Lynn, Wales head coach, said: “This is a new-look Wales squad, and we made it clear at the start of the season we would select players who were playing regular club rugby in the PWR and the Celtic Challenge.

“We have named 25 players who have Celtic Challenge rugby under their belts, and we have really been impressed by the young Welsh talent now coming through our pathway and playing regularly.

“This is the start of a new four-year World Cup cycle, it is a fresh start, and we need to look to the future and that means giving players an opportunity to taste Test match rugby.

“We have a good blend of experienced internationals and new faces, and selection was driven by those who have demonstrated an appetite to learn and a desire to work hard.

“Alisha Joyce returns and has impressed us all with the work and determination she has shown to get back playing rugby.

“Butch is an experienced international and knows what is expected and to see her play 123 days after having her son Ralphie is a real inspiration to everyone.”

Last year Wales finished at the foot of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations having failed to register a win in five outings. At the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup the side exited the tournament at the group stages with a loss to Fiji at Sandy Park.

On Saturday 11 April the team start their 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations with a visit from Scotland to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Wales 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations squad

Forwards
Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks)
Maisie Davies (Gwalia Lightning/Bristol Bears)
Katherine Baverstock (Leicester Tigers)
Stella Orrin (Brython Thunder)
Sisilia Tuipulotu (Gloucester Hartpury/Brython Thunder)
Donna Rose (Saracens)
Elan Jones (Brython Thunder)
Jenni Scoble (Gwalia Lightning)
Kelsey Jones (Gloucester/Hartpury)
Molly Reardon (Gwalia Lightning)
Carys Phillips (Harlequins)
Kendall Waudby (Loughborough Lightning)
Gwen Crabb (Brython Thunder)
Tilly Vucaj (Gwalia Lightning) Alaw Pyrs (Gwalia Lightning/Gloucester/Hartpury)
Natalia John (Brython Thunder)
Kate Williams (captain, Gloucester/Hartpury, Brython Thunder)
Bethan Lewis (Gloucester Hartpury/Gwalia Lightning)
Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning)
Jorja Aiono (Brython Thunder/Gloucester/Hartpury)
Branwen Metcalfe (Brython Thunder/Gloucester/Hartpury)
Georgia Evans (Saracens)
Alisha Joyce (Bristol Bears/Brython Thunder)

Backs
Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears)
Sian Jones (Gloucester/Hartpury/Gwalia Lightning)
Seren Lockwood (Brython Thunder/Gloucester Hartpury)
Lleucu George (Gloucester Hartpury)
Kayleigh Powell (Harlequins)
Courtney Keight (Sale Sharks/ Brython Thunder)
Hannah Dallavalle (Gloucester Hartpury)
Jenna De Vera (Bristol Bears)
Savannah Picton-Powell (Brython Thunder/Bristol Bears)
Kelsie Webster (Gwalia Lightning)
Jasmine Joyce (Bristol Bears/Brython Thunder)
Lisa Neumann (Harlequins/Brython Thunder
Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders)
Nikita Prothero (Gwalia Lightning/Sale Sharks)
Seren Singleton (Brython Thunder)