Wales co-captain Callender undergoes surgery

Back-row Alex Callender played in two of Wales' three games at the Women's Rugby World Cup

Wales co-captain Alex Callender faces a spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery.

The 25-year-old Harlequins back-row has not specified the injury or how long her recovery might be, but it is thought it is the ankle problem she suffered in Wales' second tour Test defeat against Australia on 1 August.

Although Callender was pictured on crutches after the game against the Wallaroos, she was able to rehabilitate in time for the Women's Rugby World Cup - playing in the defeats by Scotland and Fiji, having sat out Wales' other group loss to Canada through injury.

"I've been really fortunate with injuries since I took up the sport, and I'm seeing this as an opportunity to work on myself on and off the field, to help my girls," Callender said on social media.

"This past year's been a rollercoaster - from getting injured at the start of the year, finding myself again in the first game out in Australia and then getting injured in the second test. I never thought I'd be making it to the World Cup and captaining my country.

"Massive shout-out to our amazing medical team. They have been absolutely unreal and without them it wouldn't have even been possible."

Callender made her Wales debut during the 2019 Six Nations Championship and has been capped 47 times by her country, becoming a force to be reckoned with at flanker and number eight.

After their disappointment at the World Cup, bowing out without a victory, Wales will hope to have a fully fit Callender available for next year's Six Nations campaign.

"It [the World Cup] didn't end the way we wanted, and I'm gutted for that. But the fight isn't over. We'll be back stronger," she added.

"I am such a passionate Welsh woman and those results... hurt me.

"To my team-mates, staff, coaches, family, friends, and every single supporter - thank you. You've carried me through the tough days and made the good ones even better. Couldn't do this without you.

"Now it's time to rebuild, focus and get back out on the pitch. The journey starts here."