Wales coach Lynn on 'honest' captain conversation

Hannah Jones was part of the Gloucester-Hartpury side that won three successive English titles under Sean Lynn before he joined Wales earlier this year

Head coach Sean Lynn says he took the Wales captaincy off Hannah Jones so she could concentrate on her performances heading into the World Cup.

Centre Jones had skippered Wales for more than two years and held on to the role when Lynn took charge at the start of this year's Six Nations.

But after a winless campaign, it was revealed last month Lynn – Jones' former coach at English champions Gloucester-Hartpury - had opted for a change.

Forwards Alex Callender and Kate Williams were confirmed on Monday as co-captains for the upcoming two-Test tour of Australia and the World Cup that kicks off in England in August.

"We had a chat after the Six Nations, some good honest conversations, and I just felt I didn't see a Hannah I saw in Gloucester-Hartpury," Lynn said.

"She's gone through some tough times as captain and I can't fault what she's done.

"She was very professional about it; she just said, 'whatever's right for the team, I will do'."

Jones has won 65 caps for Wales and initially replaced Siwan Lillicrap as captain in 2022.

But despite success with her club, she has endured a difficult time with Wales following back-to-back Six Nations Wooden Spoons and a contract dispute that led her to contemplate quitting.

Jones has spoken about the captaincy change on social media, writing: "Being captain was one of the greatest honours of my career I'm proud of that chapter, every messy, brilliant, brutal bit of it.

"I've always worked hard. That didn't start when I became captain and it didn't stop when it (the captaincy) was removed. Environments change. My standards never have."

Lynn said Jones was "very disappointed, as you would expect" about the captaincy change.

However, he added that is not worried the move risks damaging his relationship with Jones.

"She was upset but she knew it was my decision and her response has been brilliant in training, going above and beyond," he said.

"I'm hoping we will see a different Hannah and I want her to lead the way she can lead on the pitch."

Alex Callender (left) and Kate Williams (right) will share the duties through the upcoming Rugby World Cup campaign

Jones has been included in the 30-player squad for the two fixtures against the Wallaroos, starting with the first Test in Brisbane on Saturday, 26 July.

Wales will be led by co-captains for the first time, with Lynn praising Callender's "energy" and 25-year-old Williams' "strategic approach".

"I think the two personalities just bounce off each other," he said of the back-row pairing, who were told together of the decision by Lynn.

"We're both really excited about the journey we're on," said Callender, the 24-year-old Harlequins flanker.

"Hannah congratulated us. She's done a massive job for us during tough times, including the contracts, but she's been happy for us to lead the team.

"To do it together takes some of the pressure off just one person, but we're just excited to get going into the World Cup."

Gloucester-Hartpury's Swansea-born Williams only joined the Wales set-up three years ago having been brought up in New Zealand.

She said: "I didn't think I'd be at the next World Cup when I first came over, but for the coach to put his trust in me and Alex is a massive opportunity I'm really proud and grateful for."

'Schedule is what it is - but we'll embrace it'

Three young, uncapped players have been included in the Wales squad, with Lynn saying scrum-half Seren Lockwood, prop Katherine Baverstock and lock Tilly Vucaj all have a chance of making it to the World Cup that begins for Wales against Scotland in Salford on Saturday, 23 August.

And he hailed the return of prop Sisilia Tuipulotu, who has not played since undergoing hamstring surgery in February.

Lock Natalia John (calf) and centres Kerin Lake (shoulder) and Hannah Bluck (calf) are missing through injury, though none is thought to be at risk of missing the World Cup, where Wales will also face Fiji and Canada.

The trio's recovery will continue at home ,where Lynn has so far overseen a gruelling fitness regime having identified fitness and discipline as issues following a review of the Six Nations campaign.

It has included sand dune running at Merthyr Mawr, training in dojos under the supervision of a new 'collision coach', former Wigan and Wales rugby league international Ben Flower, as well as military training with the Royal Welsh regiment.

"I learnt a lot in that Six Nations campaign and the big thing was we needed to work harder," Lynn said, who felt accuracy dropped off in games.

"Everything about us now is building this identity and making sure that we are competitive and we're a hard team to beat and we work hard for each other.

"Players and staff have been held accountable and we're in a good place to go to Australia where it will be a challenge. We're not going to be the finished article, but everything will be building going into Scotland."

Wales have lost their previous two games against Australia following their maiden victory over the Wallaroos in Newport in September 2024.

Lynn, though, played down the debatable choice of travelling 10,000 miles for two Tests in the space of six days to prepare for a tournament in England.

Asked if it was ideal preparation, Lynn said: "It is what it is, and we're going to embrace it."

He added: "It was booked before I took on the role, but I'm getting excited. We're playing Australia in Australia and it'll be a great opportunity for us as a group to spend valuable time with each other."