Wales head coach Sean Lynn has made a significant change in leadership, relieving Hannah Jones of her captaincy ahead of the 2025 World Cup. This decision comes as part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate the team and foster a new culture of success.

A New Chapter for Wales Rugby

Hannah Jones, who has earned 65 caps for Wales, took on the captaincy before the 2023 Six Nations. Despite her leadership, Wales struggled in subsequent tournaments, finishing at the bottom of the table. The team also faced internal challenges, including a high-profile contract dispute with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) in 2024.

"This is a new chapter for the team, and I am determined to drive the change we need with the squad, coaches, and staff to build real success on solid foundations," said Lynn. "A new Wales captain is part of this process, and we have some candidates, but they need to prove they have the qualities to lead the national side."

Challenges and Opportunities

Jones, 28, has been a pivotal player for Wales, but the team's recent performances have prompted Lynn to seek a fresh voice in leadership. "Hannah has done a professional job in challenging circumstances that have been well-documented, but we will call for a fresh voice in a deliberate move to grow the leadership within the squad," Lynn explained.

Despite stepping down as captain, Jones remains a key player for Wales. Lynn emphasized her continued importance to the team: "Hannah remains a valued and senior member of the squad. We have enjoyed great success together at club level, and I want us to do the same at international level."

Building a New Team Culture

Lynn's vision for Wales includes creating a new team culture that emphasizes high standards and accountability. "I made it clear when I was appointed by the WRU that this was the job I always wanted, and I needed the mandate to create a new team culture, to drive standards, and challenge coaches, players, and staff to build a team to make the nation proud," he said.

To support this vision, Lynn has named a 45-player summer training squad, introducing several new faces to the senior national team. The coach plans to reduce the squad to 30 players before the team heads to Australia for warm-up matches against the Wallaroos in July and August.

Looking Ahead to the World Cup

Wales' preparation for the 2025 World Cup includes a series of challenging matches and a focus on developing leadership within the squad. The team will face Australia in Brisbane on July 26 and in Sydney on August 1, followed by a return to the UK for final preparations.

The 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup, the 10th edition of the tournament, will be held across eight venues in England. Wales' opening game is against Six Nations rivals Scotland on August 23 in Salford, with further group matches against Canada and Fiji.

As Wales embarks on this new chapter, the focus is on building a team that can compete at the highest level and make the nation proud. The leadership change is just one of many steps in this journey, with the ultimate goal of achieving success on the global stage.