Six Wales players to watch in Women's Six Nations
The 2025 Women's Six Nations is almost here and this year's championship brings fresh optimism for Wales. Armed with a new head coach in Sean Lynn, the side will be looking to bounce back from last year's bottom-place finish, starting with Saturday's opening trip to Edinburgh to take on Scotland. Lynn, who goes into camp fresh from winning the Premiership Women's Rugby title with Gloucester-Hartpury, has a 37-player squad to work with - made up of seasoned internationals and up and coming talent from the Celtic Challenge.Before the action kicks-off, and with the World Cup later this year, BBC Sport has picked out six young Wales players to watch.
Alaw Pyrs, 19, second row
The younger sister of established Wales loose-head Gwenllian Pyrs, Alaw Pyrs certainly has big boots to fill.She made her senior Wales debut in a WXV2 warm-up against Scotland last September and travelled to South Africa with the squad the following month.It was a turbulent time for the Bangor-born lock to make an impression given the player contracts upheaval and the eventual departure of head coach Ioan Cunningham.But this season's Celtic Challenge is where Pyrs stepped out of her sister's shadow.She was a standout player in Gwalia Lightning's third-place finish and showed herself to be a willing and powerful ball carrier with a eye for the try-line.At 5ft 11in and over 14 stone, Conwy farmer Pyrs offers raw strength and a physical presence Wales will need if they are to take on the bigger teams.Pyrs admits Gwenllian is her rugby hero, but watch out for the not-so-little sister in 2025.
Maisie Davies, 19, prop
Maisie Davies demonstrated her international pedigree in the 2024 Women's Summer Series in Parma, with three tries in three matches earning her the accolade of Wales' MVP (most valuable player).Originally a blindside flanker, Davies made a seamless transition to loose-head prop while retaining the skills and swagger a seasoned wing would be proud of. She is also a natural leader and tipped by many as a future Wales captain.Davies made her senior debut in the same Scotland warm-up as Pyrs and also toured South Africa in the autumn.Domestically she enjoyed an outstanding season with Gwalia Lightning, her talent epitomised in a player-of-the-match display at Parc y Scarlets, which she dedicated to her late great-grandfather.Wales women are famed for their prop idols, and Davies has everything in her armoury to be another member of that band.
Sian Jones, 20, scrum-half
Sian Jones is another Gwalia Lightning success story, with her debut season earning her a call-up into Wales' senior squad for the 2024 Six Nations.Born in Bodelwyddan, Jones was the only girl in her mixed rugby team until the age of 14, a rite of passage which has given her a feistiness typical of her position.A fine distributor of the ball, Jones made her senior debut in last year's championship opener against Scotland.And while it was a memorable occasion for the youngster, one memory that will hurt is a kicking error which cost Wales their final attack of the game.But what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?Jones showed her mettle in starting the next match against England and has been pushing Keira Bevan for the nine jersey ever since.Ffion Lewis' return from injury will add extra competition this year, but Jones rightfully backs her ability.
Nel Metcalfe, 20, wing/full-back
Nel Metcalfe was a shining light in Welsh women's rugby in what was otherwise a forgetful 2024.The Nant Conwy utility back fittingly made her senior debut in north Wales in a WXV1 warm-up victory over USA in 2023.A few weeks later she made her first start against world champions New Zealand, 12,000 miles away in Dunedin. And while Wales were hammered and Metcalfe was shown a yellow card for pulling hair, it was an experience which put her in good stead.This season she has been running in tries for Gloucester-Hartpury and was Wales' standout player at WXV2, playing with freedom and fearlessness.Metcalfe cites Dyddgu Hywel to be her inspiration, a player from the same roots and arguably the same mould.
Bryonie King, 21, back-row
Bryonie King has been on the international radar since she was just 15.An athletic back-rower from a sporting family, King also has international honours for Wales sevens and rugby league.Born in Mountain Ash and first tasting rugby at Abercynon RFC, King is another natural leader in this list.She was given the armband for Gwalia Lightning this season, sharing captaincy duties with another powerhouse in Gwennan Hopkins. With her rugby inspiration coming from legendary All Black Richie Macaw, it is of little surprise King's game is all about graft and determination. She made her international debut in the 2023 Women's Six Nations, but opportunities have been scarce with the back-row one of Wales' greatest strengths.But after a promising domestic season, 2025 could see the return of the King.
Molly Reardon, 21, hooker
Merthyr Tydfil's Molly Reardon has been playing rugby since she was just five, turning out alongside her brother before women's rugby came calling at Nelson Belles.Like King, she switched codes and played rugby league for Wales which heightened her physicality and game awareness.Originally a scrum-half, Reardon made the switch to hooker while studying at Cardiff Met and has never looked back.Her senior debut came in the 2024 Six Nations game against England and with Kelsey Jones succumbing to a season-ending injury, Reardon took her opportunity with both hands, earning eight caps to date.A mobile front-rower and accurate at the lineout, Reardon can look forward to becoming a regular try-scorer off the back of Wales' most potent weapon - the driving lineout. Just ask Carys Phillips.
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