Lewis to Lead Wales Against England in Six Nations

Bethan Lewis has been appointed as the captain of the Welsh women's rugby team for their upcoming match against England in the Women's Six Nations, scheduled for Saturday at 14:15 BST. This leadership role comes as Wales faces significant challenges, with fellow back rower Kate Williams ruled out due to an injury sustained during last weekend's 38-7 defeat to France. Williams exited the match in the second half with a leg issue, leaving a gap in the squad as they prepare to face the reigning world champions at Ashton Gate.

Adding to the team's woes, Alex Callender, who co-captained the team last year, is still recovering from an ankle injury. Lewis, who previously led Wales during the World Cup against Canada last summer, expressed her pride in donning the jersey and leading her teammates into battle against a formidable opponent like England. "It’s always a massive honour to put on the jersey and to be able to lead the girls out against England," she stated.

The match will also see the absence of Wales centre Carys Cox, who was a late withdrawal from the France game after suffering a knock in training. However, head coach Sean Lynn confirmed that wing Seren Singleton is fit to play despite having left the field with her arm in a sling during the previous match. Lynn is expected to announce his final squad on Thursday morning.

The Guinness Women’s Six Nations runs from April 11 to May 17, and Wales is eager to secure their first victory in the championship in over two years. However, they face a daunting task against the Red Roses, who showcased their strength by scoring 12 tries against Scotland in their last outing. "We have absolutely nothing to lose," Lewis remarked, emphasizing the team's determination to improve their performance. "I think we’ve shown a lot of progress in terms of performance. Obviously, it’s not the complete performance that we’re working towards, but what better team to go up against than England to really put our stall out?"

Wales has been reflecting on their previous performances, aiming to learn from last week’s match against France. With the stakes high and the pressure mounting, the team is hopeful that they can rise to the occasion and deliver a strong performance against England.