08-07-2025
Wales coach Lynn on 'honest' captain conversation
Wales head coach Sean Lynn says he axed Hannah Jones as captain so she could concentrate on her performances heading into the World Jones had skippered Wales for more than two years and held onto the role when Lynn charge at the start of this year's Six after a winless campaign, it was revealed last month Lynn – Jones' former coach at English champions Gloucester-Hartpury - had opted for a Alex Callender and Kate Williams were confirmed on Monday as co-captains for the upcoming two-Test tour of Australia and the World Cup that kicks off in England in August."We had a chat after the Six Nations, some good honest conversations, and I just felt I didn't see a Hannah I saw in Gloucester-Hartpury," Lynn said."She's gone through some tough times as captain and I can't fault what she's done."She was very professional about it; she just said, 'Whatever's right for the team, I will do'."
Jones has won 65 caps for Wales and initially replaced Siwan Lillicrap as captain in despite success on the club front at Gloucester, she has endured a difficult time with Wales following back-to-back wooden spoons and a contract dispute that led her to contemplate quitting."She was very disappointed – as you would expect when you're told the captaincy is going to be taken away," added Lynn, who said he was not worried he was risking his relationship with Jones over the move."She was upset but she knew it was my decision and her response has been brilliant in training, going above and beyond."I'm hoping we will see a different Hannah and I want her to lead the way she can lead on the pitch."
Jones has been included in the 30-player squad for the two fixtures against the Wallaroos, starting with the first test in Brisbane on Saturday, 26 they will be led by co-captains for the first time, with Lynn praising Callender's "energy" and 25-year-old Williams' "strategic approach"."I think the two personalities just bounce off each other," he said of the back-row pairing, who were told together of the decision by Lynn."We're both really excited about the journey we're on," said Callender, the 24-year-old Harlequins flanker. "Hannah congratulated us; she's done a massive job for us during tough times, including the contracts, but she's been happy for us to lead the team."To do it together takes some of the pressure off just one person, but we're just excited to get going into the World Cup."Meanwhile Gloucester-Hartpury's Swansea-born Williams – who only joined the Wales set-up three years ago having been brought up in New Zealand – said: "I didn't think I'd be at the next World Cup when I first came over, but for the coach to put his trust in me and Alex is a massive opportunity I'm really proud and grateful for."
'Schedule is what it is - but we'll embrace it'
Three young uncapped players have been included, with Lynn saying scrum-half Seren Lockwood, prop Katherine Baverstock and lock Tilly Vucaj all have a chance of making it to the World Cup that begins for Wales against Scotland in Salford on Saturday, 23 he hailed the return of prop Sisilia Tuipulotu who has not played since undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury in Natalia John (calf) and centres Kerin Lake (shoulder) and Hannah Bluck (calf) are missing through injury, though none are thought to be at risk of missing the World Cup, where Wales will also face Fiji and trio's recovery will continue at home where Lynn has so far overseen a gruelling fitness regime having identified fitness and discipline as issues following a review of the winless Six Nations has included sand dune running at Merthyr Mawr, training in dojos under the supervision of a new 'collision coach', former Wigan and Wales Rugby League international Ben Flower, as well as military training with the Royal Welsh regiment."I learnt a lot in that Six Nations campaign and the big thing was we needed to work harder," Lynn said, who said accuracy dropped off in games. "Everything about us now is building this identity and making sure that we are competitive and we're a hard team to beat and we work hard for each other."Players and staff have been held accountable and we're in a good place to go to Australia where it will be a challenge."We're not going to be the finished article, but everything will be building, going into Scotland."Wales has lost their last two against Australia following their maiden victory over the Wallaroos in Newport in September though, played down the debatable choice of travelling 10,000 miles for two test matches in the space of six days to prepare for a tournament in if it was ideal preparation, Lynn said: "It is what it is, and we're going to embrace it."He added: "It was booked before I took on the role, but I'm getting excited; we're playing Australia, in Australia and it'll be a great opportunity for us as a group to spend valuable time with each other."
