Gloucester-Hartpury flanker Kate Williams will captain Wales at the 2026 Women’s Six Nations, after injury has ruled Alex Callender out of the campaign.

Williams and Callender were announced as Wales co-captains ahead of the 2025 Rugby World Cup, but Callender has suffered an ankle injury, keeping her out for 12 weeks.

Fullback and Williams’ Gloucester teammate Nel Metcalfe will also miss the tournament due to a knee injury, set to keep her out of action for three months.

Callender, 25, led Wales to a first historic win on Australian soil against the Wallaroos in the summer, while Metcalfe crossed for two tries in the 21-12 win in Brisbane.

Metcalfe, 21, scored a hat-trick of her tries for her club at the start of February and has become a mainstay for the Wales national senior squad.

Sean Lynn, Wales Head coach, said: “Kate Williams has the respect of the whole squad, and her leadership skills means she will be Wales captain for this Six Nations campaign.

“This is disappointing injury news for the squad and for both Al Cal and Nel ahead of the Six Nations, but they will have the best medical and rehab care to get them back playing.

“Al Cal has been a real leader for the squad and Nel has been one of the form players for Wales and her club in the PWR.

“This does mean there is an opportunity for players to step up and stake a claim for a place in the Wales squad for the Women’s Six Nations. We have seen players really put their hands up for selection during the Celtic Challenge and the PWR.”

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