Few people have been in Sean Lynn’s position.
There can be no doubting his pride in taking over a national Welsh side, nor his sadness at having to leave such a successful club as Gloucester-Hartpury. As I hunt for parallels, I can suggest Rob Cain. He led Saracens to remarkable heights before assuming the job of head coach to the USA Eagles. Despite untiring efforts he eventually handed the task on to others.
Now Lynn, just a few hours after a dramatic semi with his club, posts a widened national squad of 48. Any critics still doubting his coaching skills will observe how he adjusts from having a squad composed of so many Red Roses (11!), plus some of the best players from Canada, Ireland, Spain and Wales. None of them doubt his abilities.
He was pleased to see fifteen Welsh players competing in the PWR semis, the largest proportion coming from his own club squad (5).
One of G-H ’s biggest assets has been the way every player has advanced under the tutelage of the coaching staff. As yet Lynn appears to be acting on his own for Wales. His choice of assistants may well prove crucial for the squad’s prospects. All over the field there are areas that need urgent attention. He can’t do the job on his own.
Prospects
Last year Wales gained the wooden spoon, winning a single match, against Italy by two points. We may safely assume that the 2025 results will be better, but that does not mean a sudden surge up the table.
Cymru have three away games, and face England and Ireland at home. Last year they did well to hold the Red Roses to 46-10 in Bristol, but went down 36-5 to Ireland in Cork. This time they really must do better than beat Italy, but I see no certainty.
Taking a scalpel
Up front: will Lynn be able to compose a pack to out-scrummage the other five? He is missing two important players, Sisilia Tuipulotu and Donna Rose. Rose is listed, but in December she reckoned her season was ended by a neck injury.
This is where player depth is so essential. Any shortcomings at the scrum can be compensated in part by line-out efficiency, but that has not been a Welsh asset. Carys Phillips has been a loyal team member across twelve years, but accuracy with the line-out throw has not been her calling-card.
Cymru have been blessed with outstanding loose forwards (Butchers, Callender, Lewis, etc), but they are lacking in size and weight compared to their leading rivals. Saracens played Georgia Evans at 6 in their semi; Wales use her at lock. Quins played Abbie Fleming at 7; Wales use her at lock. The second row needs strengthening; can the youngster Alaw Pyrs provide the necessary?
Backs
In the 2024 6N Cymru managed a modest seven tries. Of those all but one were scored by forwards; Keira Bevan was the inevitable exception. So Lynn and his coaches have serious work ahead to create more fluency out behind. Can they develop real penetration in midfield?
A key choice will be between Lleucu George and Kayleigh Powell at 10. George’s assets are well known; Powell has made a rapid advance in a relatively new position for her. George was Lynn’s choice for his own club; would be be willing to give Powell the nod and widen Cymru’s attacking options?
In my view he has restricted them by retaining Hannah Jones (also a G-H regular) as captain and presumably his No 13. He needs a 12 who can do the job of a Tatyana Heard in straightening lines and providing searing passes to set the outside backs free – or even a Gabrielle Vernier!
Jasmine Joyce is not quite the one-woman show she once was. Then comes the question: can any of the newcomers can make a strong contribution? The openings are there for them; do they have the skill and determination to exploit them?
The overall lack of pace has been a worrying handicap for the squad. I fear Lynn has needed to retain too many players whose best days are behind them. There hasn’t been enough competition to displace them.
His Sources of Choice
Apart from PWR players Lynn could look at the Celtic Challenge and the age-group squads.
For Cyrmu the CC is having its ups and downs. Gwalia have grown stronger in the current season, but Brython (West Wales) have not. Historically it is that region that has provided Welsh sides with the flair for which they were famed. As it turns out, Lynn includes five Gwalia players and four Brython.
He adds Jorja Aiono, Seren Lockwood, Isla McMullen and Shanelle Williams from the Under 18s to take part, a sign of forward thinking and a feature developed by the French in their training sessions.
For the time being
Until 16 March Lynn will be working double time. His beloved club team will be hunting for an unprecedented third successive PWR trophy, but away to the one other club to match them in success, Saracens.
At the same time he will concentrate his mind on restoring his nations’s fortunes on the Interntional stage. Quite a challenge.
His Selections:
Forwards: Gwenllian Pyrs, Maisie Davies, Abbey Constable, Stella Orin, Allie Watkins, Meg Lewis, Kelsey Jones, Carys Phillips, Rosie Carr, Molly Reardon, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble, Cadi-Lois Davies, Abbie Fleming, Robyn Davies, Georgia Evans, Natalia John, Alaw Pyrs, Gwen Crabb, Lily Terry, Alex Callender, Alisha Butchers, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Gwennan Hopkins, Lucy Isaac, Bryonie King (27)
Backs: Keira Bevan, Sian Jones, Meg Davies, Ffion Lewis, Seren Singleton, Lleucu George, Kayleigh Powell, Robyn Wilkins, Courtney Keight, Hannah Jones (captain), Carys Cox, Kerin Lake, Hannah Bluck, Meg Webb, Savannah Picton-Powell, Nel Metcalfe, Catherine Richards, Lisa Neumann, Jasmine Joyce, Jenny Hesketh, Niamh Terry (21)
