Wales Under-20 Head Coach, Liza Burgess, has named her team for their opening match in the Six Nations Summer Series in Ystrad Mynach on Saturday, July 5th at 3:30pm.
Captain Branwen Metcalfe, who usually plays as number eight, will start as blindside flanker – with Gwennan Hopkins, who has already scored a try for the senior Wales team, starting in the number eight shirt. Lottie Buffery-Latham completes the back row at openside flanker.
Scrum-half Sian Jones has also played at full international level, and vice-captain Carys Hughes will partner her at fly-half.
All of the starting fifteen – with the exception of captain Metcalfe – have represented either Brython Thunder or Gwalia Lightning, which is a clear sign of the importance of the Celtic Challenge in developing young women’s talent in Wales.
Wales will play all three of their Summer Series matches at home in Ystrad Mynach. Following their opener against the Irish, they will face Scotland and then Italy.
Liza Burgess said: “All of the players are eager to get the campaign underway against Ireland. We have a squad with a good mix of experience and youth. Our preparations for the Series have gone very well – and all of the girls selected are really looking forward to the opportunity to showcase their talents in our opening game.”
Wales U20 Women’s Team to Face Ireland in the 6N Summer Series – 7/7/25 – 3.30pm
15.Hannah Lane (Brython Thunder / Cardiff Met / PDC North)
14.Seren Singleton (Brython Thunder / Cardiff Met / PDC West)
13.Savannah Picton-Powell (Brython Thunder / Cardiff Met / PDC East)
12.Freya Bell (Gwalia Lightning / Cardiff Met / PDC East)
11.Nia Fajeyisan (Gwalia Lightning / University of Leicester / PDC East)
10.Carys Hughes (Gwalia Lightning / Hartpury University / PDC East) – Vice-Captain
9.Sian Jones (Gwalia Lightning / Gloucester Hartpury)
1.Stella Orrin (Brython Thunder / University of Bristol / PDC West)
2.Molly Wakely (Gwalia Lightning / PDC East)
3.Elan Jones (Brython Thunder / Cardiff Met / PDC North)
4.Robyn Davies (Brython Thunder / Cardiff Met / PDC West)
5.Lily Terry (Gwalia Lightning / Hartpury University)
6.Branwen Metcalfe – Captain (Hartpury College / PDC North)
7.Lottie Buffery-Latham (Gwalia Lightning / Loughborough University)
8.Gwennan Hopkins (Gwalia Lightning).
Replacements:
16. Rosie Carr (Brython Thunder / Bristol Bears)
17. Dali Hopkins (Gwalia Lightning / Cheltenham Tigers)
18. Evie Hill (Coleg Gwent / PDC East)
19. Chiara Pearce (Coleg Gwent / PDC East)
20. Jorja Aiono (Hartpury College / PDC West)
21. Ffion Williams (Hartpury College / PDC North)
22. Hanna Tudor (Ysgol Brynhyfryd / PDC North)
23. Mollie Wilkinson (Brython Thunder / Bristol Bears)
Summer Six Nations Series – Ystrad Mynach:
5/7/25 – Wales v Ireland – 3.30pm
11/7/25 – Wales v Scotland – 6.00pm
17/7/25 – Wales v Italy – 3.30pm
All competition matches will be live-streamed on the Welsh Rugby Union’s YouTube channel:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/@WRUOfficial/streams
Admission to all Six Nations Series games at Ystrad Mynach is free.