Bethan Lewis to captain Wales against England as Sean Lynn makes two changes

A calf strain for Kate Williams means that flanker Bethan Lewis will captain Wales when they take on England in Bristol this weekend in the Women’s Six Nations, with Wales Women head coach Sean Lynn making two changes to his side.

Branwen Metcalfe makes her first start in the Women’s Six Nations, coming into the back row in place of Williams, with Keira Bevan at scrum-half.

Alisha Joyce is named on the bench and is poised to play for Wales 158 days after she gave birth to her and teammate Jaz Joyce’s son, Ralphie.

‘Butch’ made her return to rugby 123 days after giving birth when she came off the bench for Brython Thunder in the Celtic Challenge semi-finals, and last played for Wales in the 19-10 win against Japan in WXV2 in South Africa back in 2024. Saturday’s game will mark the first time in 562 days that Jaz and Alisha Joyce have played together for Wales.

Lynn said: “We are under no illusions of the challenge we face against the Red Roses. We are playing the world champions and Grand Slam champions in front of a sold-out Ashton Gate.

“It doesn’t get bigger than that and England are the trailblazers in the women’s game and have stolen a march on all of us in the Six Nations. They have been professional longer than us, have their own domestic league and that is the reality of the challenge ahead of us.

“These are the games you want to play and get excited about, and we will know where we stand after what we know will be a huge Test match. But this is all about us building our performances and style of play and developing our identity as a team.

“We need to show the same intensity and resilience that we have shown in the opening two games against Scotland and France and do it for longer. The grit and resilience we have shown and the ability to dig deep is an attribute we showed against France, and we will need against England.

“On behalf of all the players, coaches and staff, I cannot say how delighted we are to welcome Alisha back after the birth of Ralphie. It’s a remarkable return to rugby, let alone the Test match arena, and Butch’s diligence and desire to wear the red of Wales again has been an inspiration to all of us.”

Wales squad v England

15 Kayleigh Powell (30 caps)
14 Seren Singleton (two caps)
13 Hannah Dallavalle (71 caps)
12 Courtney Keight (30 caps)
11 Jasmine Joyce (54 caps)
10 Lleucu George (37 caps)
9 Keira Bevan (80 caps)
1 Gwenllian Pyrs (53 caps)
2 Kelsey Jones (54 caps)
3 Sisilia Tuipulotu (32 caps)
4 Jorja Aiono (two caps)
5 Gwen Crabb (41 caps)
6 Branwen Metcalfe (three caps)
7 Bethan Lewis (63 caps, captain)
8 Bryonie King (14 caps)

Replacements
16 Molly Reardon (14 caps)
17 Maisie Davies (14 caps)
18 Donna Rose (39 caps)
19 Georgia Evans (45 caps)
20 Alisha Joyce (54 caps)
21 Seren Lockwood (six caps)
22 Jenna de Vera (one cap)
23 Catherine Richards (five caps)