Progress and history – Wilkinson’s first year with Wales

Wales’ impressive 1-1 draw against Sweden in the Nations League marked the end of Rhian Wilkinson’s first year in charge.

The former Canadian international was officially named as Gemma Grainger’s successor one year ago, on 26 February, 2024.

Since Wilkinson took over as Wales’ head coach, who helped them win their first major tournament ever with a dramatic play-off victory over the Republic of Ireland, has had a remarkable year for the country.

But how is Wilkinson’s record different from Wilkinson’s and how has the squad changed since joining in 2025?

Since becoming Wales’ boss, Wilkinson has managed 12 games, with the majority of them competitive.

In comparison to the previous two draws and defeats, she has won in just half of those (six). A remarkable 50% win rate has been achieved as a result.

They are also unbeaten in six home matches, winning three and drawing three.

Although the current Nations League campaign offers Wilkinson a much better chance to give untried youngsters a chance to impress, as seen of late with Mayzee Davies and Mared Griffiths, the European Championship qualifying was undoubtedly not the best time to add fresh faces.

There were also competitive bows for Lois Joel and Safia Middleton-Patel in 2024, but the influence of experienced heads cannot be understated.

Only five of Wilkinson’s first 12 games featured in each of them, of which she used 24 players total.

Jess Fishlock, Angharad James, Hayley Ladd, Gemma Evans and Lily Woodham – who now have a combined total of 497 caps at an average of almost 100 caps each – have been ever-present under the Canadian coach. Wise heads will always prove invaluable.

Liverpool’s Evans and Everton’s Ladd hold the proud record of being the only players to play every single minute throughout Wilkinson’s tenure.

“Over the last year we’ve grown so much. It’s been a whole squad effort”, captain Angharad James said this week.

When he talked about the balance between youth and experience, the Seattle Reign midfielder said “players have grown and partnerships have come to life.”

Wilkinson fully comprehends the need for developing her squad while also being competitive in competition.

“At no point have I said that these]Nations League] games and results don’t matter, they do matter”, Wilkinson said before her side held Sweden, ranked five in the world, to a 1-1 draw.

“We’re out to win every game we play”, she added. Equally, I promise not to lead a team that sacrifices its development just because I’ll work hard to win.

However, it is obvious that Wilkinson is incredibly impressed with the current state of her entire squad.

“We have a roster of players who will do anything and everything for their country,” Wilkinson said.

As for goals, Wales have netted 25 times across their 12 games under Wilkinson.

Ffion Morgan and Elise Hughes each have two, while Kayleigh Barton and Rachel Rowe each have three and Kayleigh Barton each have three.

Under interim boss Jon Grey, Wilkinson watched from the stands as goals from Fishlock and Woodham gave Wales a surprise 2-0 friendly win over Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

It was Wales ‘ first victory in 10 months, with Grey – who was retained in Wilkinson’s coaching staff – helping to show the new boss she would&nbsp, be inheriting&nbsp, a squad with plenty of talent.

The Red Wall’s appetite was certainly whetted by emphatic victories over Croatia and Kosovo in their opening two Euro 2025 qualifiers, which came together with a combined score of 10-0.

The team’s most successful qualifying opponents, Ukraine, were likely to be their strongest competitors in May and June, which served as a consolation for Wales because they emphasized that they could not simply breeze through their group without a struggle.

However, Wilkinson’s team won their group matches against Croatia and Kosovo, keeping clean sheets throughout, to take the top spot in their Nations League group and advance to the Euro 2025 play-off semi-finals.

As their double header with Slovakia demonstrated, it was far from straightforward sailing for Wales at the end of 2024.

Wilkinson also had a number of injury concerns to contend with throughout the year, including those of Ingle, Cain, Holland, Josie Green, Hughes, Esther Morgan and Wales ‘ most-capped player and top scorer, Fishlock. &nbsp,

Nonetheless, the closing stages of the year bubbled to a rip-roaring crescendo, certainly for the neutral and, thankfully, in time, for the Welsh supporters.

After extra-time in Cardiff, a much more convincing but once again nerve-wracking 2-0 triumph was achieved thanks to goals from Fishlock and Holland in the first leg of the semi-final against Slovakia, which saw Fishlock play through the pain barrier and score Ffion Morgan for a crucial goal in a 2-1 defeat.

It paved the way for a winner takes all double header with Republic of Ireland, a tie in which Wales emerged victorious&nbsp, 3-2 on aggregate.

Speaking prior to the highly creditable draw with Sweden, Wilkinson said: “Like everything there’s been a lot of ups and downs.

” Wales had staff in place before I arrived, and for me, a year into the job we’re still getting to know each other.

“It’s nice that these players join the national team for a short time because we’re getting into a rhythm, but part of my job is to never let them get too comfortable or to let myself get too comfortable,” said one player.

As they have already discovered in February, comfort is not something Wales will receive this year.

All nine matches Wales are scheduled to play in 2025, including two that have already been played, have their opponents all placed higher in the world rankings.

In fact, Italy, Sweden and Denmark (Wales ‘ three Nations League opponents) along with Netherlands, France and England (Wales ‘ three Euro 2025 group stage opponents) are all currently in the top 13 of Fifa’s world list.

For context, Wales are currently ranked 30th.

Wilkinson had no conceit about the magnitude of the task that her players would face in 2025.

Although there is a definite desire to achieve positive outcomes, the Nations League campaign at least gives Wilkinson the chance to prepare for the summer’s Euros in Switzerland, which will ultimately be the main focus of the year.

In order to bridge the gap between Wales and the world’s elite, Wilkinson made five changes to the side that lost to Italy in Wales’ Nations League opener, which is consistent with squad rotation, debuts, and tactical adjustments.

Scarlett Hill, a 17-year-old defender for Manchester United, earned her first call-up to a squad this month and has the opportunity to make a mark in the red of Wales. Ellen Jones, a non-capped player at Sunderland, once more searches for game time.

Under Gemma Grainger’s disastrous League A campaign, where failing to improve and learn from mistakes cost them dear.

Wales have already demonstrated their ability to compete more highly in the Nations League’s highest echelon this time around, despite it still being in its early stages. However, the key is still to make improvements and progress.

And so to the next year under Wilkinson.

“We know the Euros are there, that’s the weight that’s lifted”, concluded the head coach.