Sean Lynn has announced his first matchday squad as Wales women’s head coach, handing starts to teenage forwards Maisie Davies and Alaw Pyrs.

The former Gloucester-Hartpury boss will take charge of his first match on Saturday when Wales take on Scotland in Edinburgh in the opening round of the 2025 Women’s Six Nations.

Lynn won led Gloucester-Hartpury to three titles in the last three years, with the last won as recently as last Sunday.

With very little time in Wales camp, Lynn has opted to pick players on form, those who have impressed in recent weeks and months in the Celtic Challenge and Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR).

Two of those who have been on excellent form are 19-year-old forwards Davies and Pyrs. Headline names at Gwalia Lightning, the pair helped Gwalia to a third place finish in this year’s Celtic Challenge.

Davies is selected at loosehead prop, with Carys Phillips and Jenni Scoble making up the rest of the front row, at hooker and tighthead respectively.

Pyrs is partnered in the second row by Harlequins forward Abbie Fleming, while Wales regulars Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, and Georgia Evans form the back row.

Change Of Structure in the back line

Perhaps Lynn’s most difficult selection was at flyhalf. With Lleucu George and Kayleigh Powell both on excellent form for Gloucester and Harlequins, Lynn has chosen to find a place for both, with the former at 10 and latter shifting to the 12 jersey.

Powell has also appeared at fullback for Wales, but Lynn has opted to pick three-time Olympian Jasmine Joyce there instead, with Carys Cox and Lisa Neumann on the wings.

Making up the backline are captain Hannah Jones at outside centre, and vice-skipper Keira Bevan at scrumhalf.

On the bench, Kelsey Jones and Gwenllian Pyrs are back after injury lay-offs, with Donna Rose, Gwen Crabb, and Gwalia captain Bryonie King the other replacement forwards.

The backs waiting in the wings are Meg Davies, Courtney Keight, and Nel Metcalfe.

Teams

Wales

Jasmine Joyce-Butchers; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (capt), Kayleigh Powell, Carys Cox; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Maisie Davies, Carys Phillips, Jenni Scoble; Abbie Fleming, Alaw Pyrs; Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Georgia Evans.

Replacements:

Kelsey Jones, Gwenllian Pyrs, Donna Rose, Gwen Crabb, Bryonie King, Meg Davies, Courtney Keight, Nel Metcalfe.

Scotland

Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Anne Young, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke; Hollie Cunningham, Sarah Bonar; Rachel Malcolm (capt), Rachel McLachlan, Evie Gallagher.

Replacements:

Elis Martin, Leah Bartlett, Christine Belisle, Adelle Ferrie, Alex Stewart, Jade Konkel, Caity Mattinson, Evie Wills.

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