Women's Six Nations 2024: Wales pick ex-England U20s captain Jenny Hesketh

Jenny Hesketh (R) represented England's youth sides in football and rugby

Former England Under-20s captain Jenny Hesketh has made the Wales squad for the 2024 Women's Six Nations.

Lock Shona Wakley has earned a recall while fellow second rows Natalia John and Gwen Crabb are back from injury.

Jasmine Joyce and Kayleigh Powell also return, in their cases from GB Sevens duties.

However, familiar faces Robyn Wilkins, Carys Williams-Morris, Cerys Hale and Meg Webb are absent as Ioan Cunningham names seven uncapped players.

Wing or centre Cath Richards, scrum-half Sian Jones and props Molly Reardon and Jenni Scoble, back row Gwennan Hopkins and centre Mollie Wilkinson join Hesketh in having the chance to make Wales debuts

Experienced centre Hannah Jones will lead Wales into the tournament in which they kick off against Scotland at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, 23 March (16:45 GMT).

Wales finished third in 2023, earning them a place at the inaugural WXV1 event and they hope to qualify for that tier again in the forthcoming campaign.

Cunningham has promoted players from the under-20s ranks as well as some who have impressed in this season's Celtic Challenge, including Hopkins.

Bristol Bears' Hesketh qualifies to play for Wales through her Welsh mother while Wakley can increase her cap tally from 45.

"This was the hardest squad to select since the game went professional in 2022 and there was plenty of debate within the coaching group around selection," said Cunningham.

"This 2024 Six Nations campaign promises to be the biggest and toughest tournament so far, but we are all excited to see the players named set new standards and take this team to new heights.

"The Welsh public's support proved massive for the squad last season and a first stand-alone game against Italy in Principality Stadium is a mouthwatering end to the campaign, but we know we have some major challenges ahead of us before we get to that final weekend."

"Jenny Hesketh and Cath Richards have impressed with their performances in the Premiership and Molly Reardon, Jenni Scoble, Gwennan Hopkins, Mollie Wilkinson and Sian Jones have done the same in the Celtic Challenge.

"We welcome back Welsh international Shona Wakley and her performances demonstrate that the door is always open for selection if a player's performances warrant it. All the players, coaches and staff are excited to meet the challenge of a new Six Nations campaign."

Wales Women's Six Nations squad

Forwards: Gwenllian Pyrs, Abbey Constable, Carys Phillips, Kelsey Jones, Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble, Abbie Fleming, Natalia John, Gwen Crabb, Bryonie King, Shona Wakley, Alisha Butchers, Georgia Evans, Alex Callender, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Gwennan Hopkins

Backs: Jasmine Joyce, Nel Metcalfe, Jenny Hesketh, Courtney Keight, Kayleigh Powell, Cath Richards, Lisa Neumann, Amelia Tutt, Hannah Jones (captain), Kerin Lake, Hannah Bluck, Carys Cox, Lleucu George, Mollie Wilkinson, Niamh Terry, Keira Bevan, Sian Jones, Meg Davies.

Development players: Hanna Marshall, Seren Singleton, Maisie Davies, Cadi-Lois Davies and Alaw Pyrs.