'An incredible woman': Lynn's praise for Alicia Joyce's postpartum return

At the Women’s Six Nations launch on Wednesday evening, as you’d expect, the coaches championed their athletes in interviews and spoke enthusiastically about the campaign to come.

But none more so than Wales head coach Sean Lynn. When asked about returning player Alisha Joyce, who gave birth to her first child back in November 2025, Lynn’s words were full of deep admiration and respect.

The 28-year-old has been steadily returning to the field over the past four months, training in the WRU high performance centre and has timed her return to coincide with the beginning of the Championship.

“She’s amazing. An incredible woman,” said Lynn. “And let’s not forget her and Jazz (Jasmine Joyce) are both mums which is incredible to see.

“Alicia has been in camp and training really hard with our physios, strength and conditioning coaches, meeting the strength markers and we knew then that she was ready to play minutes for Brython Thunder (against Wolfhounds) last weekend.”

Lynn named his 38-player Six Nations squad on Wednesday, with a shakeup of faces including nine uncapped players .

“For her to be announced in this Six Nations squad, she’s over the moon and I’m very excited to see what she can bring into the environment. In my eyes, we have a very competitive squad.”

This will be Lynn’s second Six Nations campaign as Wales coach with only days to prepare for last year’s tournament due to coaching responsibilities with three-time PWR champions Gloucester-Hartpury.

Wales finished bottom of the table last year with five losses, and will look to climb up the standings with many star players playing week-in week-out in England’s PWR and the Celtic Challenge competition.

“If we’re looking at success here, we’ve got to be looking at our consistency, consistency of performances, making sure that we’ve got the consistency in that set piece and in defence, everybody knows their processes, but also our attack,” Lynn continued.

“I want us being brave. I want us to be excited about the way we’re going to attack, and then if results come, then brilliant.

“I would say we’re in a good place now where individuals know the expectations. They want to be playing in the PWR or the Celtic Challenge and they want to be putting their hands up and being picked for the Six Nations which is really pleasing to see.

“These individuals have been driving standards and you can see it in the semi-final performances from Brython (Thunder) and Gwalia (Lightning) who pushed two very competitive Irish sides.”

Fixture

Womens Six Nations

Wales Women

08:40

11 Apr 26

Scotland Women

All Stats and Data