Callender wins Welsh Rugby Writers’ player award

Alex Callender has been capped 38 times by Wales since making her debut against France in 2019

Alex Callender has been voted the Welsh Rugby Writers' Association women's Player of the Year.

The 24-year-old edged out Wales captain Hannah Jones, who won back-to-back English Premiership titles with Gloucester-Hartpury, and three-time Olympian Jasmine Joyce.

Callender was without a club for the 2023-2024 season after the collapse of Worcester Warriors Women, but has signed for Harlequins Women for this term.

She captained Brython Thunder in the 2024 Celtic Challenge, scoring three tries.

Callender was also a standout player for Wales in what was otherwise a disappointing Women's Six Nations, with Wales finishing bottom of the table.

"To follow in the footsteps of all the amazing rugby players who have won it before me is very surreal," said Callender.

"I looked at Alisha Butchers and Sisilia Tuipulotu winning this in the last couple of years and I never thought it would happen to me. It's really exciting and I'm very honoured."

Callender is currently in South Africa where Wales are preparing to kick off their WXV2 campaign.

Ioan Cunningham's side take on Australia on 28 September, Italy on 4 October and then Japan on 11 October.

Wales warmed-up for the three Tests in Cape Town with a heavy 40-14 defeat against Scotland, before bouncing back and beating Australia 31-24 at Rodney Parade,

It was their first ever victory over the Wallaroos in seven attempts.

"Obviously, we want to win. It’s a competition we think we can win," said Callender.

"The win over Australia was a really big confidence boost for us going into this tournament. We want to kick on from that."

Alex Callender was presented with the award before the team flew out to Cape Town

Callender will link up with Harlequins after WXV2, where she will be joined by international team mates Carys Phillips, Abbie Fleming, Lisa Neumann and Kayleigh Powell.

"I went up there for a week in pre-season to have a look around and train with them," she said.

"It’s a really exciting move for me. The environment they’ve created there is really good and I can’t wait to be a part of it and hopefully fit in with them when I get back from WXV."

Callender hopes regular rugby in England's top tier, and playing alongside the likes of Women's Six Nations player of the championship Ellie Kildunne, will boost her career.

"I still want to get better. I’m still only 24," she said.

"For me, I’m still at the start of my rugby career. There are still a lot of things to look forward to – Lions tours and World Cups. Hopefully moving to Quins will allow me to put my hand up for things like that."