New voices, new faces, big energy - Lynn's fresh Wales start

Wales head coach Sean Lynn has wiped the slate clean going into this year's Women's Six Nations. A year into the job, he has named nine uncapped players in his 38-strong squad and assembled his own backroom staff, with new attack, forwards and defence coaches. "This is a new cycle for us," said Lynn, no longer picking up the pieces of an old regime.

"I'm very excited, we've got a blend of senior players, some fresh faces, fresh voices and the squad is looking much more competitive. " Wales lost all five games for the first time in their history in Lynn's first campaign, albeit he had less than a week to prepare. They also endured a winless World Cup, bowing out at the pool stage.

"We know we need to improve, and we're bringing in individuals we feel could be making that difference," said Lynn. Among those individuals is Tyrone Holmes, who was appointed Wales' new defence coach after three years in the same role with Scotland. Lynn says he has been very impressed with the South Africa-born former flanker and expects to see a "big improvement" in that area, especially with Holmes being full-time.

"It's what we will be needing to be competitive," said Lynn, who admits his side were "bullied off the park" in their Word Cup opener against Scotland. Brython Thunder coach Ashley Beck will attempt to revive Wales' stale attack, while Exeter Chiefs head coach Steve Salvin will be working with the forwards on an interim basis. "It's new voices, new faces and big energy," said Lynn.