Wales have made one change to their squad as they prepare to face France in round three of the 2025 Women’s Six Nations, as Lleucu George is replaced at flyhalf by Kayleigh Powell.

With incumbent flyhalf George ruled out through injury, utility back Powell moves from inside centre into the main playmaking role. Filling the gap in the 12 jersey is Courtney Keight, who started the first two matches of the campaign on the bench and earns her first start.

Keight is partnered in midfield by captain Hannah Jones, while the rest of the back line in unchanged. Keira Bevan, Wales’s brightest player so far, retains her place at scrumhalf, while the back three from Carys Cox, Lisa Neumann, and Jasmine Joyce continue.

The forward pack is also unchanged with regular flankers Alex Callender and Alisha Butchers still out with a foot injury and virus respectively.

Replacing George in the squad is lock Natalia John, who comes in onto the bench in a re-jig. Up against a powerful French pack, Sean Lynn has opted for a 6-2 bench split.

Kelsey Jones, Maisie Davies, and Donna Rose provide the front row cover for starting trio Carys Phillips, Gwenllian Pyrs, and Jenni Scoble. John, Bryonie King, and teenage tyro Alaw Pyrs make up the rest of the forward cover.

Sian Jones replaces Meg Davies as the scrumhalf cover on the bench, and the versatile Nel Metcalfe wears the number 23 shirt.

‘Expecting a hostile crowd’

Wales travel away to France for the first time since their excellent losing performance in 2023, where despite losing 29-0 at halftime, they rallied to ‘win’ the second half 10-14 with tries from Phillips and Evans, who both start on Saturday.

“These players deserve another opportunity to represent the Wales family against one of the best sides in the world and we know we face a Test match in front of a hostile crowd in France,” said Lynn.

“The players, coaches and staff have put the fallow week to good use and worked hard to improve and hone our game. We know we can do better. Some aspects of our performance against England were not good enough and we are determined to put that right in France.

“We know France are a world class outfit but we have to challenge ourselves to match them.”

Despite a positive performance in Lynn’s first match in charge, Wales lost narrowly to Scotland – 24-21 – before welcoming England to the Principality Stadium a week later.

In front of a record crowd for a stand alone women’s sporting fixture, Wales lost 12-67 as their biggest rivals ran in 11 tries on a chastening afternoon.

Teams

Wales

Jasmine Joyce; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (capt), Courtney Keight, Carys Cox; Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Jenni Scoble, Abbie Fleming, Gwen Crabb, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Georgia Evans.

Replacements:

Kelsey Jones, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Alaw Pyrs, Bryonie King, Sian Jones, Nel Metcalfe.

France

Morgane Bourgeois; Kelly Arbey, Marine Menager (co-capt), Montserrat Amedee, Emilie Boulard; Carla Arbez, Pauline Bourdon-Sansus; Yllana Brosseau, Manon Bigot, Rose Bernadou, Manae Feleu (co-capt), Madouddou Fall-Raclot, Charlotte Escudero, Seraphine Okemba, Teani Feleu.

Replacements:

Elisa Riffonneau, Ambre Mwayembe, Assia Khalfaoui, Kiara Zago, Axelle Berthoumieu, Lea Champon, Oceane Bordes, Lina Queyroi.

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