New-look Wales end losing streak with Barbarians win

June 27, 2026 No Comments

New-look Wales end losing streak with Barbarians winImage source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Kayleigh Powell scored the opening try in a rare appearance at fly-halfByMatt LloydBBC SportPublished25 minutes agoBarbarians (7) 17Tries: Rule, Cleall, Quansah Con: PenaWales (15) 34Tries: Powell, Williams 2, Lockwood, Keight, Aiono Cons: Powell 2New-look Wales produced an encouraging display as they ended a nine-game losing streak albeit in this non-cap friendly against Barbarians at Allianz Stadium.Uncapped wing Amy Williams scored twice between tries from makeshift fly-half Kayleigh Powell and rising scrum-half star Seren Lockwood.Courtney Keight crossed before another new prospect, Jorja Aiono, added a sixth try late on as Wales did well to last the distance in scorching heat in Twickenham where temperatures hit 31 degrees (89F) at kick-off.While the result does not improve Wales’ record of one victory in their last 15 Tests, they can at least look ahead to the WXV Global Series in October on the back of a rare success against star-studded opposition.The only disappointment was a late injury to full-back Nel Metcalfe on her return to action after missing the entire Six Nations.Wales beat Barbarians as North signs off in style

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Head coach Sean Lynn took the opportunity to experiment for this uncapped fixture.

With a host of seasoned regulars either injured or involved in this weekend’s Premiership Women’s Rugby final, he selected 11 players in the matchday squad aged 22 or younger.

Powell was handed the number ten jersey, with Lleucu George rested, and she responded with the game’s opening try on 11 minutes.

Wales are desperate to expand their fly-half options and Powell, who shone at full-back during the Six Nations, showed plenty of nice touches.

Alex Callender and Alisha Joyce both returned, from injury and pregnancy respectively, and showed what Wales had missed during the Six Nations with some impressive work at the breakdown.

Lockwood got the nod at scrum-half ahead of Keira Bevan, providing variety and sharpness, and it was her storming break that eventually led to Wales’ second try.

It still took a wild Barbarians clearance to gift Brython Thunder’s Williams her opening try on her first Wales appearance.

But the uncapped wing produced an even better finish for her second try when she demolished Canada’s World Cup captain Alex Tessier to score on the stroke of half-time.

The Wales Under-21s star continued to show no fear of reputations, even barging aside modern legend Ruby Tui during a brief scuffle in the second half.

Barbarians history

New Zealand World Cup winner Tui was among nine different nations represented in a star-studded Barbarians side, including Australia flanker Emily Chancellor as captain, but they looked disjointed in their first fixture since 2024.

Carys Phillips created a piece of history at kick-off when – by following her father and former Wales flanker Rowland – they became the first father and daughter to represent the famous old club.

It was ironic that she should achieve that feat against her own country, especially having been an unused member of the squad during this year’s Six Nations.

Phillips was part of a Barbarians scrum that caused Wales problems and flanker Amy Rule pulled back a score.

Lockwood skipped past two defenders to put Wales 22-7 early in the second half.

Barbarians responded twice, first when prop Bryony Cleall barged over to spark a lively on-field celebration that involved a glitter ball motorcycle helmet.

That was followed by Celia Quansah’s double handspring celebration after fending off Williams to score the Barbarian’s third as the hosts rallied to 22-17.

How they lined up

Another uncapped wing, Kelsie Webster, along with second-half replacements Stella Orrin, Lucy Isaac and Lily Hawkins, all made their first appearances for Wales.

Bryonie King hugely impressed at number eight in a player of the match performance.

In a display reminiscent of Sioned Harries in her heyday, King went close to scoring, had another effort ruled out for a double movement and galloped half the length of the field in another barnstorming break.

Wales and Lynn finally appear to have options in positions before facing some of the world’s best later this year.

Barbarians: Cramet; Tui, Pena, Tessier, Lund; McGovern, Mattinson; Delgado Duenas, Phillips, Belize, P Leitch, Bonar, Rule, Chancellor (capt), Marston-Mulhearn.

Replacements: Tuttosi, B Cleall, Jacob, Buckland-Hurry, Arrighetti, Maxwell, Tuima, Quansah.

Wales women: N Metcalfe; Webster, Keight, De Vera, Williams; Powell, Lockwood; Davies, Reardon, Tuipulotu, B Metcalfe, Aiono, A Joyce, Callender (capt), King.

Replacements: Jones, Baverstock, Orrin, A Pyrs, Isaac, Hawkins, Bevan, Bell.

Referee: Nikki O’Donnell (England)

Assistant Referees: Emily Hope, Becky Piddlesdon

TMO: Craig Maxwell-Keys

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