Phillipa Yarranton - Dragons, Wales and a new chapter
Rhodri Evans
By guest columnist, Peter Ryan.
For Phillipa Yarranton, netball has never been just a sport.
It’s been the thread running through her entire life: from childhood afternoons on the sidelines watching her mum play, to Commonwealth Games arenas and World Cup campaigns with Wales.
Along the way, the LexisNexis Dragons stalwart has racked up over 150 appearances, 41 goals, and a Dragon of the Year award, all while becoming one of the most respected voices in the Welsh game.
Now, as she prepares to leave the Dragons ahead of the NSL 2027 season and embark on a new adventure in Australia, Yarranton reflects on a career defined as much by resilience and relationships as it is by results.
In her own words, she looks back on the highs of Birmingham and Glasgow, the hard truths of a disappointing Commonwealth Games campaign, and the lessons that carried her through the setbacks along the way, all while opening up on the part of her identity that exists beyond the court.
It’s a story about netball, yes. But more than that, it’s a story about knowing when – and why – it’s time to write the next chapter.
“Netball has been a huge part of my life, and I don’t think I could ever properly put into words what it has given me,” Yarranton reflects.
“I actually came to netball through my mum, who loved the sport and would take me along as a child. It’s taken me to places I never imagined I’d go, from Commonwealth Games and World Cups to experiences and friendships that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.
“But I think one thing I’ve realised over the last couple of years is that, as much as I love netball, it isn’t everything. I’m a person before I’m a netball player, and there are so many other parts of my life that matter to me.
“I think when you’re an athlete, people sometimes only see one version of you.
“They see you turn up, train, play and perform, but there’s so much more to you than that. I’ve learnt to really value that: the friendships, the experiences away from the court, the person I am when I’m not in kit.
“I love netball, and I’m incredibly proud to be a netballer, but I’m also proud of who I am outside of it. I think that’s probably one of the biggest things I’ll take from my career.”
LexisNexis Dragons
Yarranton’s story includes clubs such as the Hotshots in Shropshire and Cardiff Met.
However, the club that is synonymous with her career is the LexisNexis Dragons. She joined the Cardiff-based club in 2022 and has been a consistent presence in the squad ever since. When Yarranton speaks, her love for the club comes through.
“The Dragons is incredibly special to me, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to explain what this club has meant to me properly,” she says.
“I joined in 2022, and I knew very quickly that I’d found somewhere that felt right.
“Winning Dragon of the Year in my first season, voted for by my teammates, was such a special moment because, ultimately, those are the people you’re alongside every day. Knowing they valued what I brought to the team meant a huge amount to me.
“I’ve had some really memorable moments here, including reaching 50 appearances and being part of the team that achieved the club’s best league position since 2014. But honestly, I’ll remember the people and the relationships most.
“My decision to leave before the NSL 2027 season isn’t because I don’t feel I have anything left to give, or because I don’t feel good enough.
“If anything, I’m leaving feeling like I’ve played some of the best netball I’ve ever played. That makes the decision harder but also gives me a lot of pride in the chapter I’m closing.
“I’ve grown a lot as a person throughout my time here, and I’ve come to understand that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is choose a new direction.
“My decision to move on from the NSL is very much about me, my life outside of netball and what I need personally at this point in my life.
“That’s been a really difficult decision, but I know it’s the right one for me.
“I’ll always be grateful to Dragons for the people, the memories, the opportunities and the person I’ve been able to become here. I’ll miss it hugely, but I’ll always be a Dragon.”
Performing for your club is one achievement, but representing your country carries a different level of pride. Yarranton has experienced both, further underlining the quality and dedication that have shaped her journey.
Welsh Feathers
“Representing Wales is the greatest honour of my career, without question,” she asserts.
“Getting the call-up for Birmingham 2022 as a late replacement and then stepping on court against Australia was an incredible experience. It gave me a real understanding of what it means to pull on that red dress and represent your country.
“Glasgow [2026] was a very different experience for me personally. To be a starter, to have responsibility from the first whistle and to be out there alongside some of the people I’m closest to was incredibly special.
“Playing in front of our families and Welsh supporters in a full Commonwealth Games arena is something I’ll never forget.
“But if I’m being completely honest, I came away from the Games disappointed with our performances. I don’t think we showed consistently enough what we’re capable of as a group, and I think we have to be really honest with ourselves about where we are at the moment.
“There were patches where we showed exactly what this team can do. We had some really good spells against New Zealand and Jamaica.
“But those moments weren’t sustained for long enough, and at this level you have to be able to put together a full performance.
“I don’t think we should shy away from that. We have to own where we are, recognise the areas where we need to improve and learn quickly.
“We’re not where we want to be yet, and I think the important thing now is what we do with that experience.
“The Commonwealth Games has given us a really valuable opportunity to see what international tournament netball demands and where the gaps are. We have to take those lessons, build on them quickly and use them to make us better.
“We don’t want to look back at Glasgow as something that just happened to us. We need to use it as a turning point.
“The World Cup qualifiers give us another opportunity to show what we’re capable of, and I’m really excited for that. I have huge belief in this group, but I also think belief has to be matched by honesty, hard work and a willingness to learn.
“Representing Wales will always be the greatest privilege of my career, and that’s exactly why I care so much about us performing at the level I know we’re capable of.”
Representing your nation is the biggest honour in sport. It means leaving it all out on the court for your country.
From her first cap at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Yarranton has been a consistent presence in the national squad. It’s a fascinating time as the Welsh team enters a new era, with attention turning to the World Cup qualifiers.
Future
“There’s a lot I’m excited about, and Australia is obviously a huge part of that,” Yarranton explains.
“It’s a completely new chapter for me, and I’m excited, nervous and curious about what it’s going to bring.
“I’d love to continue playing, developing and challenging myself over there, but I’m also going into it with an open mind.
“This move isn’t about netball for me. It’s about experiencing something different, having a new adventure and giving myself the space to focus on other parts of my life too.
“The last couple of years have made me reassess what I want and what I need personally. I’ve spent a huge amount of my life trying to be the best netballer I can be, and I’m incredibly proud of that, but I also know that I need to prioritise myself and my life outside of the sport.
“I’m still hugely ambitious; I still love competing, and I’m sure I will find myself doing something sport-related; that’s where my passions lie.
“Before Australia, I’ve got something incredibly important to focus on with Wales and the World Cup qualifiers. Representing Wales is something I’ll never take for granted, and I want to give everything I have to that campaign.
“And then I’ll close this chapter with Dragons feeling incredibly proud. I’m leaving at a point where I feel like I’m playing some of my best netball, which is exactly how I wanted to leave.
“I’ll miss the Dragons, the people and everyone who has been part of this journey more than I can say. But I’m also excited for what comes next.”
Yarranton has already created a story filled with achievement, determination and memorable moments.
Yet this does not feel like the conclusion but the beginning of something else. There are more opportunities to seize, more ambitions to fulfil and plenty more of her story still to be written.
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Wrexham and Elliot Lee part ways by mutual consent
Rhodri Evans
Rhodri Evans
Rhodri Evans
Wrexham have confirmed the departure of midfielder Elliot Lee, with his contract at the Racecourse Ground terminated by mutual consent.
The 31-year-old arrived from Luton Town in the summer of 2022 and went on to play a starring role in the club’s remarkable climb up the football pyramid.
Lee had recently entered the final year of his deal and leaves north Wales having scored 41 goals in 152 appearances across all competitions for the Red Dragons.
Parkinson Pays Tribute
Manager Phil Parkinson was full of praise for the outgoing midfielder.
“I’d like to thank Elliot for what he has done for this football club,” he said.
“He has been a great player for us here at Wrexham and has made a significant contribution to the club’s rise through the divisions.
“He is at the stage now where he is eager to go and play and get some minutes, and whoever gets him will get a player who still has a lot to offer.”
Key Man During The Rise
Lee was a prominent figure as Wrexham stormed through three successive promotions, climbing from the National League all the way to the Championship.
He earned a place in the 2022-23 National League team of the year as the club won the fifth-tier title in record-breaking fashion, racking up 111 points.
The following season he was recognised again, named in both the League Two team of the season and the PFA team of the year, as Wrexham secured automatic promotion into League One.
Faded Role In The Championship
The West Ham academy product found his influence waning once Wrexham reached the Championship last season.
His only three appearances of the campaign came in the EFL Cup, before he moved to Doncaster Rovers on loan, where he made 18 League One appearances.
The Durham-born midfielder has not featured in any of Wrexham’s four matchday squads across all competitions so far this season and now finds himself a free agent.
He is reportedly attracting interest from League One outfit Sheffield Wednesday.
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Newport wrap up summer rebuild with Deadline Day trio
Rhodri Evans
Rhodri Evans
Rhodri Evans
Newport County have brought the curtain down on a busy summer of squad-building, confirming three fresh faces through the door on transfer deadline day: Watford winger Michael Adu-Poku, Cardiff City striker Kion Etete and Hull City defender Matty Jacob.
The new arrivals were announced alongside confirmation that Cardiff winger Tanatswa Nyakuhwa has rejoined the Exiles on a season-long loan, rounding off a hectic few hours of business at Rodney Parade.
Jacob joins on loan from Premier League side Hull City until January, while Adu-Poku and Etete drop down from the Championship and will be with the club for the remainder of the campaign.
In total, County have made 15 signings over the summer as head coach Hayden Mullins reshapes the squad following a nervy end to last season, when the club stayed up on the final day of the 2025-26 campaign under previous boss Christian Fuchs.
Second Left-Back Through The Door
Jacob becomes the second left-back to arrive at Rodney Parade this summer, following Bournemouth loanee Alfie Merritt through the door – though Merritt was deployed further up the pitch in Tuesday’s game at Salford.
His arrival gives Mullins another defensive option with regular left-back Tom Davies currently sidelined through injury.
The 25-year-old is a product of Hull’s academy and spent the first half of last season on loan in League One with Reading, racking up 16 appearances for the Royals.
Injuries have disrupted Jacob’s career at various points, but he returned to Hull in January and featured five times as the Tigers sealed a return to the Premier League.
Another Wide Option For Mullins
Adu-Poku’s arrival gives Mullins further depth out wide, coming just as fellow winger Nyakuhwa returns to Newport for a second loan spell.
The 20-year-old has already had a taste of first-team football this season, coming off the bench in Watford’s Championship opener against Southampton before starting in their 5-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Peterborough.
He has previous senior loan experience at Rochdale, Wealdstone, Barrow and Solihull Moors.
Physical Presence Up Front
Etete, 24, arrives from Cardiff to add some physicality to Newport’s attacking options.
A graduate of Tottenham’s academy, he signed for the Bluebirds in 2022 and scored nine goals across his first two seasons in the Welsh capital.
Chances have been harder to come by since, and he has had loan spells away at Bolton, Rotherham United and St Mirren in the meantime.
With James Crole out injured and Shaquille Gwengwe often used in wider positions, the 6ft 6in forward is expected to offer support to Christian Doidge in attack.
Newport now have six players out on loan at Rodney Parade – Merritt, Adu-Poku, Etete, Jacob, Nyakuhwa and Fulham’s Matt Dibley-Dias – but EFL regulations mean Mullins can only name five of them in any matchday squad.
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Wrexham land O'Hare from Sheffield United in £6.5m deadline day deal
Rhodri Evans
Rhodri Evans
Rhodri Evans
Wrexham have completed the signing of attacking midfielder Callum O’Hare from Championship rivals Sheffield United.
O’Hare passed a medical at the north Wales club on transfer deadline day, with the move completed for a reported fee in the region of £6.5m.
The 28-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year deal, with Wrexham holding the option to extend his stay by a further 12 months.
Speaking after putting the finishing touches on his move, O’Hare made no secret of his excitement at joining the club.
“The club’s so big and well known and I just really wanted to come here. I’m so excited to get started,” O’Hare said.
“I want to help the club go in the right direction and hopefully get what everyone wants – promotion to the Premier League.”
Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder had confirmed on Monday that Wrexham had made their move for the midfielder, and didn’t hold back when discussing the north Wales club’s approach to the closing stages of the window.
“This is not a criticism, but Wrexham are in for half the division,” Wilder said.
The signing arrives at a good time for Phil Parkinson, whose Wrexham side travel to face Millwall at The Den on Wednesday night.
“We’re delighted to welcome Callum to the club,” Parkinson said.
“He’s a player with a lot of Championship experience, and he’s going to be a great addition for us for the coming seasons.”
O’Hare becomes Wrexham’s seventh addition of the summer window and their second of deadline day, following the earlier arrival of centre-back Joe Worrall from Burnley.
The Red Dragons have also brought in goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, wing-backs Danny Imray, Issa Kabore and Jacques Ekomie, and central midfielder Ben Whiteman during the window.
It’s not just arrivals shaping Wrexham’s business this deadline day, the club are also working to streamline their squad.
Ten-cap England international Conor Coady has already left by mutual consent, having failed to feature in any of Wrexham’s four matchday squads so far this season.
Elliot Lee, Harry Ashfield, Dan Scarr, and Alex Moore are among those who left the club, either on loan or permanently, before the window shut last night.
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Late Salford fightback denies Newport at Moor Lane
Rhodri Evans
Rhodri Evans
Rhodri Evans
Newport County were left to rue a stoppage-time collapse as Salford City fought back from behind to win 2-1 and claim their first League Two victory of the season.
Harrison Biggins had given the Exiles a stunning lead midway through the second half with a strike from all of 70 yards, but Salford responded with goals from Taylor Allen and Kelly N’Mai inside the final seven minutes to snatch all three points and climb out of the relegation zone and up to 20th.
Newport, who sit 14th, now turn their attention to Saturday’s trip to Northampton Town, while Salford host Port Vale next.
Having taken nothing from their opening three league games, Salford showed little sign of a side low on confidence, starting the game on the front foot and putting Newport under sustained pressure from the first whistle.
Ryan Graydon rattled the post inside five minutes, and Abraham Odoh was denied only by a brilliant goal-line clearance from Joe Thomas as the hosts threatened to turn their dominance into goals.
But for a team that had managed just a single goal in the league before kick-off, that clinical touch remained elusive. Frustration mounted further on the stroke of half-time when Joe Powell’s low free-kick cannoned back off the upright.
Newport, meanwhile, offered little going forward, with Macaulay Langstaff the closest the hosts came to adding to their chances as the half wore on.
The visitors then produced a sensational moment out of nothing midway through the second half. Biggins picked up the ball just outside his own box, spotted Salford keeper Will Norris off his line, and struck a remarkable effort from around 70 yards that sailed over the exposed goalkeeper and into the net.
It looked like it might be enough to settle the contest, but Salford weren’t ready to slip to a fourth straight league defeat.
The hosts kept pushing and were rewarded when Allen curled a finish beyond Wright to draw the sides level.
With the momentum now firmly with Salford, they completed the turnaround deep into stoppage time.
A cross from Molyneux was only half-cleared by Newport, with Lee Jenkins’ header falling kindly for substitute N’Mai, who finished emphatically on the volley to seal the win.
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Newport bring back Nyakuhwa on deadline day loan from Cardiff
Rhodri Evans
Rhodri Evans
Rhodri Evans
Newport County have wrapped up deadline day business by securing the loan signing of winger Tanatswa Nyakuhwa from Cardiff City.
The Newport-born 20-year-old becomes County’s 12th arrival of the summer and makes a return to Rodney Parade after spending the second half of last season on loan with the Exiles.
This time, though, he links back up with a different man in the dugout, following Hayden Mullins’ appointment as head coach.
Strengthening the wide areas had been high on Mullins’ summer shopping list, with Yahya Bamba and Shaquille Gwengwe the only recognised wingers left at the club following the exits of Ben Lloyd, Michael Spellman and Bobby Kamwa.
Nyakuhwa is a familiar face to the Rodney Parade faithful. During his loan spell in the second half of last season, he made seven substitute appearances and chipped in with two assists as County secured their EFL status on the final day of the campaign.
His return gives Mullins a fresh option out wide heading into the new season.
The move also offers Nyakuhwa the opportunity to get back up to full sharpness after a difficult summer on the injury front – he suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty with Wales Under-21s.
Having undergone surgery, the winger has since returned to full training with Cardiff before completing his switch back to Newport.
Mullins’ shortage of natural wide options hasn’t stopped Gwengwe – usually a central striker by trade – from finding the net while deployed on the flank.
The forward has scored four goals in three games so far, leaving him just two behind Nathaniel Opoku, who was Newport’s top scorer last season.
Nyakuhwa, who has made nine first-team appearances for Cardiff, will now be hoping his second spell at Rodney Parade can provide the platform to launch his senior career.
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Swansea go top of Championship after brilliant first-half display sees off Watford
Rhodri Evans
Rhodri Evans
Rhodri Evans
Swansea City are the early-season pace-setters in the Championship, going top of the league after a polished 2-0 win over Watford at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Eom Jisung swept the Swans ahead inside the opening stages before Adam Idah doubled the lead, with Swansea’s dominant first-half performance more than enough to see the game out.
The win takes Matos’ side to 10 points from four league games and lifts them above both Charlton Athletic – who play on Wednesday – and Wolverhampton Wanderers to the top of the second tier, a position Swansea haven’t occupied in almost seven years.
For Watford, it’s a first defeat in the Championship under new head coach Alessio Dionisi, and the result drops them into the bottom half of the table.
Fast start sets the tone
Swansea meant business from the first whistle. Marko Stamenic headed Josh Tymon’s corner against the post, and Joseph Opoku was inches away from turning in the rebound, before the breakthrough eventually came.
Home debutant Stephen Eustaquio threaded a pass through for Idah to burst clear, and his low centre was turned home first time from close range by Eom.
Swansea doubled their lead soon after, this time with the roles reversed – Eom skipped into space just past the halfway line and slipped a superb through-ball into Idah’s path.
The former Celtic forward, again chosen ahead of Zan Vipotnik up top, finished with real composure, sliding the ball between the legs of Watford goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia.
Watford threatened a way back before half-time, with headers from Mattie Pollock and Hector Kyprianou both forcing saves out of Swansea’s Lawrence Vigouroux.
Second-half control
Swansea’s tempo naturally dipped after the break, but they still had chances to extend their advantage.
Substitute Melker Widell teed up Eom, only for Ravaglia to block his effort, before Widell himself drew another good save from the Watford keeper.
At the other end, Vigouroux kept out a late Rocco Vata effort to preserve the clean sheet; Swansea’s third in four league outings this season.
Deadline-day distractions, but a big boost for Matos
Playing a league fixture on transfer deadline day is never straightforward, and both clubs had business ongoing in the background.
Swansea, though, are understood to feel they’ve had a productive window, and there was extra good news for Matos as Vipotnik stayed put beyond the English deadline, ending months of exit speculation, for now, at least, with markets elsewhere in Europe still open.
It’s a mark of the strength in depth at Swansea that last season’s Championship top scorer has barely featured so far this campaign.
Vipotnik came off the bench again here, but with Idah – now up to two league goals and an assist in 2026-27 – in such form, starts may be hard to come by for the Slovenian for a while yet.
Idah was among several Swansea players to shine during a first-half showing that effectively settled the contest well before the hour mark.
Watford will feel they should have made more of their own openings, but on the balance of play, Swansea’s win was thoroughly deserved.
What Matos said
Swansea head coach Vitor Matos reflected on the performance:
“I am really pleased with the moment we are in. It was a really good game, especially the first half and the two goals.
“After that tiredness came in a little bit, we lost a little bit of consistency, which is normal. That’s the next step, of course, trying to stay on the same level for more time.
“But I think everyone should be really pleased because of the performance and that comes own to the players and to what they are believing in and what they are putting in in terms of effort and passion. I think that’s really nice to see.”
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Swansea wings Inoussa and Ronald stay as Monga loan completed
Rhodri Evans
Rhodri Evans
Rhodri Evans
Swansea City are on course to confirm the loan signing of Manchester City winger Jeremy Monga for the remainder of the season, even after two proposed departures from the Swans’ own ranks fell through on deadline day.
The Championship leaders say a deal for the 17-year-old is done, with the paperwork signed off ahead of Tuesday’s 23:00 cut-off, and an official announcement is expected on Wednesday.
Swansea pressed on with the Monga deal even though it leaves head coach Vitor Matos with a crowded group of wide options, with Joseph Opoku, Moussa Yeo and Eom Jisung all already vying for minutes out wide.
Ronald and Inoussa exits fall through
It was a frustrating night on the outgoings front for the Swans. Ronald had already set off for London after Swansea struck an agreement – reported at around £2m – to sell the Brazilian winger to Millwall.
But the switch fell apart at the last minute, with Matos indicating that terms could not be agreed with the Lions.
Fellow winger Zeidane Inoussa was in a similar position, having been set to join Portsmouth on loan for the rest of the campaign, only for that move to be pulled as well.
Vipotnik’s future still up in the air
Matos also admitted he cannot guarantee that top scorer Zan Vipotnik will still be a Swansea player once transfer business elsewhere in Europe finishes, with windows in Portugal, Turkey and Saudi Arabia all still open.
Asked directly about Vipotnik’s situation, Matos was unclear about his situation.
“At the moment, yes, he is with us,” the Swansea boss said
“But some markets are still open, so we never know what happens.
“He’s here and I’m really happy if he stays. We all love him. It’s not easy in dealing with all the noise, of course.
“We hope he is here, but that is the hard part of the transfer window, that some markets are still open that are massive opportunities for players.”
Table-toppers after Watford win
The uncertainty off the pitch came on the back of a big night on it, as Swansea moved top of the Championship on Tuesday with a 2-0 win over Watford.
Speaking after the match, and just before the deadline passed, Matos confirmed the Ronald deal to Millwall was off.
“As far as I know, [he] didn’t reach an agreement, so he’s part of the team,” he said.
He added that he was “not really clear” on the exact details of Inoussa’s situation, but confirmed the former Sweden Under-21 international would be “staying as well”.
Defensive target slips away too
Swansea’s frustrations extended to the back line, too, after their move for a new defender also fell through on deadline day. Strasbourg’s Soumaila Coulibaly had been considered a target, but he opted to join Watford instead.
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Wales wing Neumann seals Leicester Tigers move for new PWR season
Rhodri Evans
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Rhodri Evans
Wales wing Lisa Neumann has signed for Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2026-27 Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) campaign.
The 32-year-old departed Harlequins this summer after a two-season spell at The Stoop.
Neumann’s first year at Quins yielded six tries from 22 appearances, but game time proved harder to come by last season, with the wing making just a single outing for the club.
She turned instead to the Celtic Challenge, picking up minutes with Brython Thunder.
Neumann’s season was further disrupted by a hamstring injury sustained against Scotland in the opening round of the 2026 Six Nations, which brought her campaign to an early end.
The switch to Leicester marks the latest stop in a PWR career that has also taken in spells at Sale Sharks and Gloucester-Hartpury.
“I’m really excited to be joining Tigers this season,” said Neumann.
“This team is building something exciting, so I’m really looking forward to being a part of that.
“I feel this is an environment where I can grow, be supported and hopefully add some value.
“It’s a fun new chapter for me, and I can’t wait to meet the girls and enjoy my rugby here.”
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Lynn names 39-strong squad as Wales gear up for WXV campaign
Rhodri Evans
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Rhodri Evans
Wales head coach Sean Lynn has named his 39-strong squad for the Vodafone WXV Series, with the tournament set to open at Cardiff Arms Park this September.
Back-row duo Alex Callender and Kate Williams have been handed the co-captaincy for the two Vodafone-backed home Tests against South Africa and the USA on Welsh soil.
Once the Cardiff fixtures are done, the squad will head overseas to round off the four-match WXV campaign with a double-header against Japan in Tokyo.
Eight uncapped players feature in the group, among them Amy Williams, Kelsie Webster and Stella Orrin, all of whom featured in the win over the Barbarians in an uncapped fixture at Twickenham.
They’re joined on the uncapped list by props Crystal James and Elan Jones, hooker Shanelle Williams, scrum-half Megan Davey and centre Hanna Tudor.
The squad also draws heavily on Celtic Challenge experience, with 28 of the named players having represented either Brython Thunder or Gwalia Lightning in the competition.
“This selection underlines how hard the players, coaches and staff have worked, and we are seeing competition for places really develop in the squad,” Lynn said.
“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 Squad for WXV
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 (Ealing Trailfinders), Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester-Hartpury), Seren Singleton (Brython Thunder)
Forwards:
Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Maisie Davies (Exeter Chiefs), Katherine Baverstock (Leicester Tigers), Crystal James (Ealing Trailfinders), 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)
Wales WXV fixtures:
Friday, September 18th: Wales v South Africa, Cardiff Arms Park (KO: 7.15pm UK time)
Saturday, September 26th: Wales v USA, Cardiff Arms Park (KO: 3pm UK time)
Saturday, October 24th: Japan v Wales, Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo (KO: 4pm UK time)
Saturday, October 31: Japan v Wales, Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Saitama Prefecture, Kumagaya City (KO: 7am UK Time)
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