Wales will face Australia, Italy and Japan in three Test matches across three weekends in Cape Town. Centre Hannah Jones will captain the squad based around the side that beat Spain 52-20 in Cardiff to qualify for WXV2.
The squad includes, lock Alaw Pyrs, prop Maisie Davies and hooker Rosie Carr, all three made their Wales debuts against Scotland in Edinburgh, and uncapped prop Jenni Scoble. Pyrs is the younger sister of prop Gwenllian Pyrs, and they became the first sisters to play for Wales in the recent Test match against Scotland since he tHorgan twin sisters against France in 2008. Kayleigh Powell, who became an Olympian with the GB Sevens at Paris 2024, returns to the squad as a fly-half.
Wales face the Wallaroos in their final WXV warm-up game at Rodney Parade, Newport, on Friday, September 20th (KO:7pm). Cunningham, said: “These are the 30 players selected to represent Wales at what promises to be an exciting and very competitive WXV2 tournament in South Africa.
“We have rewarded players who have impressed in our recent training camp and have selected the squad with an eye on the World Cup. As coaches and staff, we know we need to drive competition for places and build the strength-in-depth in the squad with England 2025 less than a year away.
“The likes of Alaw, Maisie and Rosie have impressed us all since they have been with us and deserve this opportunity to experience tournament rugby at the highest level. “Jenni is the only uncapped player and was part of the last season’s Six Nations squad and impressed for Gwalia Lightning during last season’s Celtic Challenge. “Some players have missed out on selection, but the door is still open, and we know this is going to be a demanding season, with a Six Nations and World Cup still to come.”
Wales WXV squad
Forwards: Gwenllian Pyrs, Abbey Constable, Maisie Davies, Carys Phillips, Molly Reardon, Rosie Carr, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble, Abbie Fleming, Natalia John, Georgia Evans, Alaw Pyrs, Alisha Butchers, Bryonie King, Alex Callender, Kate Williams, Beth Lewis.
Backs: Jenny Hesketh, Jasmine Joyce, Courtney Keight, Nel Metcalfe, Hannah Jones (captain), Hannah Bluck, Kerin Lake, Carys Cox, Lleucu George, Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan, Sian Jones.
Wales WXV2 fixtures
Australia v Wales, DHL Stadium, Cape Town (KO:11.30am, UK), Saturday, September 28th
Wales v Italy, Athlone Stadium, Cape Town (KO: 3pm UK), Friday, October 4th
Wales v Japan, Athlone Stadium, Cape Town (KO: 3pm UK), Friday, October 11th
