Sean Lynn welcomes back co-captains for ‘formidable’ WXV Global Series

Back-row duo Alex Callender and Kate Williams will captain Wales in their upcoming WXV Global Series fixtures across September and October.

The pair shared captaincy duties at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 as Wales exited the tournament at the group stage.

Williams solely took on the role for the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations with Callender injured. Williams herself missed the final three rounds of that campaign with injury and Bethan Lewis took the reins.

Over the next two months, Wales will play home fixtures against South Africa and the USA Women’s Eagles, prior to a two-Test tour of Japan.

The 39-player squad includes seven uncapped players. That cohort includes Amy Williams, Kelsie Webster and Stella Orrin, who all played in the team’s uncapped victory against the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium.

Crystal James, Elan Jones, Shanelle Williams, Megan Davey and Hanna Tudor complete the group of uncapped players.

Sean Lynn, Wales Head coach, said: “This selection underlines how hard the players, coaches and staff have worked, and we are seeing competition for places really develop in the squad.

“We have really moved the dial during the first three weeks of pre-season with the fitness and the rugby sessions demanding more from the squad.

“The players have really pushed each other and to witness how that is driving standards in training is the reason why we have selected the squad size we have.

“Our focus is on us as we continue to build our identity and playing philosophy and we intend to hold a ‘Probables versus Possibles’ training game to help the coaches ahead of selection of the South Africa Test match.

“This WXV campaign is a formidable and exciting challenge, playing South Africa, USA and Japan, and those three nations are above of us in the world rankings.”

Wales 2026 WXV Global Series squad

Backs
Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears), Seren Lockwood (Brython Thunder), Megan Davey (Loughborough Lightning), Kayleigh Powell (Harlequins), Lleucu George (Gloucester Hartpury), Courtney Keight (Sale Sharks), Freya Bell (Gwalia Lightning), Jenna De Vera (Brython Thunder), Hannah Dallavalle (Gloucester Hartpury), Hanna Tudor (unattached), Nikita Prothero (Gwalia Lightning), Jasmine Joyce (Brython Thunder), Amy Williams (Brython Thunder), Kelsie Webster (Gwalia Lightning), Lisa Neumann (Leicester Tigers), Carys Cox (Trailfinders Women), Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester Hartpury), Seren Singleton (Brython Thunder)

Forwards
Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Maisie Davies (Exeter Chiefs), Katherine Baverstock (Leicester Tigers), Crystal James (Trailfinders Women), Shanelle Williams (Brython Thunder), Molly Reardon (Gwalia Lightning), Kelsey Jones (Sale Sharks), Elan Jones (Brython Thunder), Stella Orrin (Brython Thunder), Donna Rose (Saracens), Sisilia Tuipulotu (Harlequins), Gwen Crabb (Brython Thunder), Natalia John (Brython Thunder), Branwen Metcalfe (Brython Thunder), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Alex Callender (Harlequins), Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning), Bethan Lewis (Bristol Bears), Alisha Joyce (Brython Thunder), Kate Williams (Gloucester Hartpury), Jorja Aiono (Gloucester Hartpury)