Wales Call Up Alex Callender for Barbarians Match at Twickenham
The 25-year-old returns from injury for the 27 June fixture. Head coach Sean Lynn named a 33-player squad that includes 14 uncapped players.
bbc.co.ukWales have named Alex Callender in their 33-strong training squad for the uncapped match against Barbarians at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday, 27 June. The 25-year-old back-row forward missed the 2026 Women's Six Nations campaign with injury and is set to return for the fixture.
Head coach Sean Lynn selected 14 uncapped players and 24 squad members who play for Wales-based clubs Brython Thunder or Gwalia Lightning.
Lynn said the match offers a chance to assess younger players after Wales finished the Six Nations without a win. "It's a real opportunity to continue to build our playing philosophy and to have a look at the exciting young talent now coming through our pathway and through the Celtic Challenge teams, Wales U21s and Wales U18s," Lynn said.
"All the players have been told there is a real opportunity to play against an experienced Barbarians side and not to assume that they will or will not play.
The squad contains 13 backs and 20 forwards. Backs named are Keira Bevan, Seren Lockwood, Lily Hawkins, Kayleigh Powell, Hanna Marshall, Courtney Keight, Freya Bell, Kelsie Webster, Jenna De Vera, Hanna Tudor, Nikita Prothero, Jasmine Joyce and Amy Williams.
Forwards are Gwenllian Pyrs, Maisie Davies, Kath Baverstock, Crystal James, Shanelle Williams, Molly Reardon, Molly Wakely, Kendall Waudby, Elan Jones, Stella Orrin, Jenni Scoble, Tilly Vucaj, Natalia John, Branwen Metcalfe, Chiara Pearce, Alex Callender, Bryonie King, Lucy Isaac, Alisha Joyce and Anwen Owen.
Kelsey Jones, Bethan Lewis, Sian Jones, Lleucu George, Hannah Dallavalle, Nel Metcalfe, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Jorja Aiono and Alaw Pyrs played for Gloucester-Hartpury in the Premiership Women's Rugby semi-final loss to Ealing Trailfinders on Sunday and were not included in the initial squad.
