Callender in Wales’ World Cup squad despite injury

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025: Scotland v Wales

Venue: Salford Community Stadium Date: Saturday 23 August Kick-off: 14:45 BST

Co-captain Alex Callender is included in Wales’ Rugby World Cup squad despite suffering a concerning ankle injury earlier this month.

The star back row limped off just four minutes into the second Test against Australia on 1 August before returning to the sideline in a boot and on crutches.

Head coach Sean Lynn has included all 30 players he took on the summer tour, along with experienced centre Kerin Lake and uncapped Wales Under-20 captain Branwen Metcalfe.

Wales’ also face the world’s second best team Canada at the same venue on 30 August, before a reunion with former head coach Ioan Cunningham, who is now in charge of Fiji, in Exeter.

Metcalfe, 18, is the younger sister of full-back Nel Metcalfe and one of two pairs of sisters, along with prop Gwenllian Pyrs and lock Alaw Pyrs, to be selected in the squad.

Wales hooker Carys Phillips is set to play in her fourth World Cup, while it will be a third outing for Hannah Jones, Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, Lleucu George, Kelsey Jones, Keira Bevan and Gwenllian Pyrs.

It will be a first major tournament experience for Seren Lockwood, Katherine Baverstock and Tilly Vucaj, who all won their first caps in Australia.

Carys Cox, Courtney Keight, Alaw Pyrs, Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Nel Metcalfe, Jenni Scoble, Catherine Richards, Bryonie King and Meg Davies will also make their World Cup debuts.

“The Wales squad selected is a mix of experience and exciting young talent that have all proved they deserve the opportunity to play on the biggest stage of a World Cup,” said Lynn, who celebrated his first win in the opening Australia Test since taking charge in March.

“As coaches, there were some tough calls on selection but this is the strongest squad we could have selected and we are looking forward to the challenge ahead of us.

Forwards

Katherine Baverstock (Leicester Tigers), Maisie Davies (Bristol Bears), Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Donna Rose (Saracens), Jenni Scoble (Gwalia Lightning), Sisilia Tuipulotu (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kelsey Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), Carys Phillips (Harlequins), Molly Reardon (Gwalia Lightning), Alex Callender (Harlequins), Gwen Crabb (Gloucester-Hartpury), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Abbie Fleming (Harlequins), Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning), Bethan Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury), Alaw Pyrs (Gloucester-Hartpury), Tilly Vucaj (Gwalia Lightning), Kate Williams (Gloucester-Hartpury), Branwen Metcalfe (Hartpury College)

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