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Wales recall Joyce as Lockwood to face France
TL;DR
Jasmine Joyce has been recalled by Wales to face France in the Women's Six Nations after being dropped for the previous match. She replaces Lisa Neumann, who is out for the rest of the tournament due to a hamstring injury.
Key points
- Jasmine Joyce recalled by Wales for Women's Six Nations
- Joyce replaces injured Lisa Neumann
- Match against France at Arm's Park on Saturday
Mentioned in this story
Jasmine JoyceLisa NeumannArm's Park
Women's Six NationsWalesFrance
Media caption,
Wales head coach Sean Lynn praises Jasmine Joyce's professionalism
Jasmine Joyce has been recalled by Wales to face top-of-the-table France in the Women's Six Nations at the Arm's Park on Saturday (15:35 BST).
Joyce, Wales' most decorated player, was dropped for last week's narrow defeat by Scotland in Cardiff.
But she returns on the wing for Lisa Neumann, who will miss the rest of the tournament with a hamstring injury.
Scrum-half Seren Lockwood is also promoted from the bench to replace veteran Keira Bevan, with Lleucu George set to take over goal-kicking duties.
Lock Natalia John takes replaces Alaw Pyrs on the bench in the only other change to the matchday squad as Wales chase a first win over France in 10 years.
"Seren changed the game for me when she came on [against Scotland]," said Lynn.
"She brought pace, energy and she's a live wire around the breakdown, making linebreaks and breaking sides down defensively.
"There's a big role for Keira to be playing off the bench and she has been superb this week, putting her arm around and helping Seren. That's what we want, competition in this squad."
France top the Six Nations on the back of a six-try victory over Italy in Grenoble while Wales have just one win from their last 11 games in the championship.
They have not won a Six Nations game since victory over Italy in the final round of the 2024 tournament but head coach Lynn insists he has seen plenty to be encouraged by.
"I know we didn't get the win on Saturday, everybody wants that win, but the performance and the Test match is what we wanted, being competitive - that's what we want in every fixture," Lynn said.
"As a group we've got that belief, but the belief is about making sure that we're being consistent with our performances and our processes."
How they line up
Wales: Powell; Singleton, Cox, Keight, Joyce; George, Lockwood; Pyrs, Jones, Tuipulotu, Aiono, Crabb, Lewis, Williams (capt), King
Replacements: Reardon, Davies, Rose, John, Metcalfe, Evans, Bevan, Dallavalle
Q&A
Why was Jasmine Joyce dropped from the Wales squad?
Jasmine Joyce was dropped for the previous match against Scotland, but the specific reasons for her exclusion were not detailed.
What injury did Lisa Neumann sustain?
Lisa Neumann sustained a hamstring injury, which will keep her out for the rest of the Women's Six Nations tournament.
When is the Wales vs France Women's Six Nations match scheduled?
The match between Wales and France is scheduled for Saturday at 15:35 BST.