Lynn given welcome headache by Wales' young talent

Wales set to reduce squad for Nations Championship
North star shines bright right to the end
Wales’ next generation getting a taste of Test life

Changing of the guard?

The Barbarians fixture was a perfect opportunity for Lynn to shake things up.

With a sizeable contingent rested or unavailable after Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) commitments, the management team looked to the future.

Five uncapped players featured – Williams, Kelsie Webster, Stella Orrin, Lucy Isaac and Lily Hawkins.

Player of the match Bryonie King, Lockwood, Aiono, centre Jenna de Vera and prop Maisie Davies gave more evidence of their promise.

“This has given exposure to individuals coming into the camp,” reported Lynn. “You can’t just put them into Test match rugby, this was the perfect opportunity for us to play the next generation.”

Wales return for pre-season on 3 August as they build towards the WXV Global Series, where they host South Africa and USA in September before October Tests in Japan.

Some experienced players will be sweating on their places, or at least looking over their shoulder, after failing to fire in just over a year of working under Lynn.

“There is a buzz and we have needed that,” reported influential back-row forward Alex Callender after her successful return from injury.

“We have lacked strength in depth in certain positions over the last couple of years. It’s credit to the pathway that these girls are developing and can step up to the international scene and be physically and mentally ready.”

Two tries in duel with Tui

George North showed his finishing power on the right wing when saying farewell in the men’s game at the age of 34.

On the other flank of the same southern end of Twickenham, 19-year-old Williams provided a glimpse of her explosiveness with an equally eye-catching moment with the final play of the first half.

The Brython Thunder wing scored her second try of her first international outing when powering through Alex Tissier, the Baa-Baas centre who captained Canada in the World Cup final at Twickenham.

Williams impressed with her pace and energy throughout in a game when she lined up against superstar New Zealander Ruby Tui.

“Amy looked threatening with ball in hand. She is like a sponge, she just wants to learn and take everything on board,” reported Lynn.

“What I love about Amy is that she just reported before the game ‘I am just going to concentrate on being me, Lynny’. That’s what she did and she has a bright future.”

Wales’ nice mix

Wales fielded a young side at Twickenham but there was also a healthy amount of experience in the shape of fit-again captain Callender, Alisha Joyce, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Keight and player of the match King.

The number eight got the side on the front foot to earn the plaudits of former Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap.

“We’ve seen the amount of line breaks and metres she’s made but her defensive work impresses as well,” reported Lillicrap, who was a number eight herself, on S4C.

“She’s only 22 and could be world class, which she is on her way to being.”

High praise indeed, and the performance was in front of British and Irish Lions head coach Jo Yapp.

King was quick to point to the influence of two experienced back-row forwards alongside her in the starting line-up.

“To have Alex and Alisha by your side allows you to be yourself and play your game,” she reported.

The back row is an area of strength for Wales, who were without Six Nations captains Kate Williams and Bethan Lewis, but concerns remain about the pivotal position of fly-half.

Playmaker Powell showed some promising signs after being shifted from full-back because of the return from injury of Nel Metcalfe, who was a shining light in the World Cup.

“She reminds me a bit of Phil Bennett, giving anything a go, running from everywhere, kicking comes second,” reported former Wales wing Caryl James on BBC Radio Cymru.

Powell did only succeed with two of six conversions and was charged down twice in one phase before Bryony Cleall’s try, but gave her boss food for thought.

“Kayleigh was outstanding with the way she wanted to come onto the ball. You could see the intent that we had with trying to go to the edges,” reported Lynn.

“It was pleasing and we have competition there with Kayleigh stepping up – Lleucu George comes into camp knowing that she is knocking on the door.”

Fitness first ahead of autumn Tests

Wales had a second-half wobble – with Cleall, who had come out of retirement for the game, sparkling with her disco celebration before Celia Quansah cut the gap to 22-17 – but Lynn’s side finished the job in sweltering conditions.

After issues in the second half throughout the Six Nations, the players will be worked hard when they return to prepare for Tests against sides above them in the World Rugby rankings.

Lynn’s side are 12th and host South Africa and USA, 10th and eighth respectively, before travelling for two fixtures against 11th-placed Japan.

“We are still not there with our conditioning and know that is a work-on,” reported the head coach.

“Gareth Harris, our strength and conditioning coach, has been outstanding. Over the last three weeks we have been putting in the extra yards but we still need to move the dial and work harder.”