Wales squad announced for Denmark and Sweden games
WREXHAM, WALES - 25 FEBRUARY 2025: Wales Women's National Team Manager Rhian Wilkinson during the UEFA Womens Nations League, Group A4 match between Wales and Sweden at the ST?K Cae Ras in Wrexham on the 25th February 2025. (Pic by Ashley Crowden/FAW)
Wales manager Rhian Wilkinson has named her squad to face Denmark and Sweden in the Nations League.
There is a return for Rachel Rowe, while youngsters Poppy Soper and Tianna Teisar also earn recalls.
Sunderland’s Ellen Jones is one that drops out from the last camp, while Mared Griffiths and Scarlett Hill, who were also in the squad for the first set of Nations League games, will play for the U19s in their Euros League A qualifiers.
But the biggest story is the return of Saints midfielder Rowe, and Wilkinson is looking forward to utilising her once again.
“If you’ve met Rowey, there’s an intensity about her that is uniquely her own. She is a senior international who has given everything to her country. She had a little bit of a setback with her injury, but to be able to have her confidence back. Rachel epitomises giving 100% for Wales, and it’s good to have her back.”
Meanwhile, Wales’ U19s will face off against France, the Republic of Ireland, and Serbia as they try and reach Euro 2025 later this year.
Cymru will host the mini tournament, and Wilkinson is eager for some of the squad’s younger players to play in these big games.
“We are very connected between the U17s, the U19s and the senior squad, and players should always feel there is a pathway up to the top, but equally, the whole pathway needs to work together.
“It was amazing to see Mared get her first senior cap in the last camp, but she’s not getting game time at Manchester United, despite being part of the senior squad, so having her down with the U19s gives her an opportunity to get some good minutes against strong opposition, and it’s the same with the likes of Scarlett Hill, Soffia Kelly, and many other players involved there.”
Elsewhere, former Wales captain Sophie Ingle posted on social media earlier this week that she was back training on grass, and Wilkinson confirmed the midfielder’s return from injury is still on track.
“Sophie will be in for a bit of camp and get back with the squad, which is nice. She has done everything in her power to make sure she’s taken care of herself and tracking well. We know with injuries like this that it’s very individual, it’s her own journey back to fitness.
“We want to make sure every injured player feels part of the group, and Sophie is hugely important to this team. Whether she wears the armband or not, she is always a captain for this team, so having her back on the pitch at Chelsea, who have done a great job with her, is greatly appreciated by us.”
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Historic Fishlock
It feels like whenever an international break comes around that Jess Fishlock does something historic, and this one is no different.
Over the weekend, in her 200th NWSL match, Fishlock scored for Seattle Reign in their win over North Carolina Courage.
As Wales’ record goal scorer enters the twilight of her glittering career, it’s hard to come up with new superlatives for her, but Wilkinson stressed once again that we have to enjoy watching her play while we can.
“I was watching that game, and it wasn’t just any goal, it was incredible one! The NWSL is a very different type of league to what we have here. It’s a transitional and athletic league, and it’s challenging.
“As you get older, it can be more challenging physically with what you’re trying to put out every day. With Jess, so many things make her special, but she will never use her age as a reason to not do something. She has always done what’s best for her body. She’s the first to go out and get her own medical support, her recovery is of paramount importance, and you see that now.
“Those who didn’t go out and see Gareth Bale play regret it, and those people will regret not seeing Jess before she retires. She is a special player who is delivering in every game she plays in.”
However, a post-Fishlockian world is creeping up on Wales.
Out in Ireland, the history maker didn’t play in the final half hour, but Wales found a way through without her. While in the first two Nations League games, Fishlock has played, but hasn’t completed a full 90 minutes.
It’s hard to think of this team without Fishlock, but the Canadian says it’s something Wales must prepare for.
“It’s something the team has to learn. Jess Fishlock will only ever add to your team. Having her in my squad is the gift any coach would want. The team lost Sophie and had an injury to Jess in the same camp. We had to work through that, but Jess is the fulcrum and focus of this team.
“Jess is incredibly important to this team, and when we can use her, we will. But equally, if we can’t, it’s important the team doesn’t dip. It’s important to show we can do it without her even if we don’t want to.”
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Nations League progress
Wales return to Nations League action after a positive opening two games.
Despite an opening day defeat away to Italy, Cymru drew 1-1 with Sweden in Wrexham, in what was a remarkable result.
Wilkinson’s team do sit bottom of the table, but she knows her side can definitely go up another level.
“We were disappointed with our loss against Italy, and that was something I was almost proud of with the team. I don’t think we’re in a position anymore where we’re happy with being close.
“We have to deliver and that’s the expectation on ourselves. This is an internal motivation for me and the team. A loss and a draw are good results, but we want to keep pushing our own standards, and I think there are a lot of things we can improve in these next games.”
Now attention turns to a Scandinavian double header against Denmark in Cardiff and Sweden in Gothenburg.
This will undoubtedly be the most challenging double header Wilkinson will face in the Nations League, but yet again, it’s a challenge she’s very much relishing.
“I’m expecting these games to be exciting and it will give us more opportunities to try new things, but also to start bedding down who we are and what we want to bring to the Euros this summer.
“It’s an opportunity to play in Cardiff, our last time in Cardiff before the Euros, and we only have two more games in Wales before the summer. We want the Red Wall to come and out support these women, support this team, because I don’t think we will see teams of this calibre for a little while.”
WALES SQUAD TO FACE DENMARK AND SWEDEN
Olivia Clark (Leicester City), Laura O’Sullivan-Jones (Gwalia United), Safia Middleton-Patel (Manchester United), Poppy Soper (Blackburn Rovers)
Rhiannon Roberts (Real Betis), Josie Green (Crystal Palace), Charlie Estcourt (DC Power), Hayley Ladd (Everton), Gemma Evans (Liverpool), Mayzee Davies (Manchester City), Lily Woodham (Crystal Palace), Ella Powell (Bristol City), Esther Morgan (Sheffield United)
Alice Griffiths (Durham), Angharad James (Seattle Reign), Lois Joel (Newcastle United), Carrie Jones (IFK Norrköping), Ffion Morgan (Bristol City), Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), Ceri Holland (Liverpool), Rachel Rowe (Southampton)
Kayleigh Barton (Charlton Athletic), Mary McAteer (Sunderland), Tianna Teisar (Bristol City), Hannah Cain (Leicester City), Elise Hughes (Crystal Palace)
