Joyce set for Wales comeback after birth of son

Alisha Joyce is poised to return to the Wales squad following the arrival of her son Ralphie, just five months after her last appearance in a Test match. The Bristol Bears flanker will make her debut as a substitute in the upcoming encounter against England, which takes place at Ashton Gate. This marks her first opportunity to play since the WXV2 competition concluded in October 2024.

Her return comes 562 days after she and her partner, Jaz Joyce, last played together for Wales. Despite limited match time this season—only half an hour in the Celtic Challenge—her contributions in training have caught the attention of Wales head coach Sean Lynn. “Alisha’s eagerness to return to the pitch has been evident since joining the team camp,” he noted. “She’s been outstanding in training, so it’s exciting to see her coming off the bench.”

“What I love about Alisha, she’s been chomping at the bit to put that jersey back on since she’s been into camp,” he said. “She’s been outstanding in training, so it’s exciting to see her coming off the bench.”

Meanwhile, Wales have recalled scrum-half Keira Bevan to the starting line-up, replacing Seren Lockwood from last weekend’s Six Nations loss to France. Branwen Metcalfe makes her debut in the back row, stepping in for injured captain Kate Williams, while Bethan Lewis will lead the team from the opposite flank. Wing Catherine Richards could also debut from the bench, as Carys Cox continues her recovery.

Team Lineup and Replacements

Wales: Powell; Singleton, Dallavalle, Keight, J Joyce; George, Bevan; Pyrs, Jones, Tuipulotu, Aiono, Crabb, Metcalfe, Lewis (capt), King. Replacements: Reardon, Davies, Rose, Evans, A Joyce, Lockwood, De Vera, Richards.

England, meanwhile, are fresh off a 12-try victory over Scotland and are expected to bring their depth to the match. Wales, however, are still seeking their first win in the championship since the previous round of 2024. “They’ve got a lot of injuries, but you can just see the depth they’ve got,” said Lynn. “Putting 84 points on a very good Scotland side shows where England are.”

Looking ahead, Lynn emphasized the importance of the upcoming match. “It will be a really good measure for us from our performances against Scotland and France,” he added. “What I want from our group of players is everything we’re learning, we’re putting right against the best in the world. And then we can grow again, have a break, and build on the next two weeks going into Ireland and Italy.”