Hannah Jones to be replaced as Wales captain
Wales head coach Sean Lynn has taken the captaincy away from Hannah Jones before the 2025 World Cup.
Jones, 28, has been relieved of the role before the global tournament and the two-match World Cup warm-up tour to face Australia in July and August.
The centre, who has won 65 caps, became captain before the 2023 Six Nations when Wales finished third.
Wales finished bottom in the next two tournaments, while Jones also had to deal with a contract dispute with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) in 2024.
“This is a new chapter for the team, and I am determined to drive the change we need with the squad, coaches and staff so that we build real success on solid foundations,” said Lynn.
“A new Wales captain is part of this process, and we have some candidates, but they need to prove they have the qualities to lead the national side.”
Jones kept the captaincy after Wales changed coaches, with Lynn appointed before this spring’s Women’s Six Nations, with scrum-half Keira Bevan and flanker Alex Callender named as vice-captains.
“Hannah has done a professional job in challenging circumstances that have been well-documented, but we will call for a fresh voice in a deliberate move to grow the leadership within the squad,” added Lynn.
“Hannah remains a valued and senior member of the squad. We have enjoyed great success together at club level and I want us to do the same at international level.”
Wales finished bottom after losing all five games, including a record defeat against Italy in the final game.
“I made it clear when I was appointed by the WRU this was the job I always wanted and I needed the mandate to create a new team culture, to drive standards and challenge coaches, players and staff to build a team to make the nation proud,” continued Lynn.
“That is something we will all do together, and developing more leaders is one of many steps on that journey.”
Wales travel to Australia to take on the Wallaroos in Brisbane and Sydney on 26th July and August 1st respectively, before embarking on the World Cup campaign this autumn.
Sportin Wales’s coverage of Wales’s World Cup qualifying campaign is proudly sponsored by S4C. You can watch all of Wales’s matches this year for free on S4C and S4C Clic.
If you want to read more pieces from Sportin Wales, why not read to our monthly magazine here or subscribe to the magazine and newsletter at https://sportin.wales/subscribe/.
Our podcast is back for the new season and our co-founder Alex Cuthbert is in charge! You can find all the episodes here or the video versions on our YouTube channel.
You can also keep track of our pieces and videos on our socials at @Sportin_Wales on X or Sportin Wales on Instagram and Facebook.
