The 18,000 people expected at Principality Stadium would be a record for a women’s sports event in Wales
DESPITE a bitter loss to Scotland in their opening game, Wales are set to smash the attendance record for a Women’s Six Nations game at the Principality Stadium this weekend.
Wales face England on Saturday in front of an expected 18,000 supporters, breaking the previous record attendance for a women’s sporting event held in Wales.
Previously, the record for a stand-alone women’s rugby fixture in Wales was a crowd of 10,592 for the 22-20 victory over Italy in the final game of last tournament, in the Principality stadium.
In football, Wales women set a record attendance of 16,845 at the Euro 2025 play-off final first leg against Ireland at Cardiff City Stadium last year.
“The prospect of playing in front of a record rugby crowd at the home of Welsh rugby – the Principality Stadium – is a recognition of the growth in the women’s game,” said head coach Sean Lynn.
“The players have been told to be brave and to believe in their ability to compete at the highest level.
“We have coached and played against the Red Roses, and we know what they will bring, but this is about us and how we want to perform in the capital city.”
Wales will be hoping to put in a better performance after last weeks after last week’s narrow 24-21 loss in the opening game of the Six Nations.
The David versus Goliath-style clash against overwhelming favourites England will be Lynn’s second game as head coach.
Lynn previously coached Gloucester-Hartpury from 2020 to 2025, leading them to three consecutive Premiership Women’s Rugby titles.
He has made two changes to the team, as prop Gwenllian Pyrs returns to the starting line-up, replacing Maisie Davies, who drops to the bench.
Two players, Flankers Alex Callender and Alisha Butchers, will be unavailable for selection due to a foot injury and a virus, respectively.
Georgia Evans, Wales’s number eight, is free to face England after being sent off for two offences against Scotland.
“England are the best team in the world and are many people’s favourites for another Grand Slam and for the 2025 World Cup.
“We shouldn’t shy away from the challenge ahead of us but relish the opportunity to test ourselves against them in front of a passionate Welsh crowd.”
England have won 30 Guinness Women’s Six Nations games on the spin, which is the longest streak by any side in the history of the tournament.
However, England’s two defeats to Wales have both came away from home, in 2009 and 2015. It has been 10 years since Wales last beat England.
Hannah Jones will once again captain the side, with Kayleigh Powell partnering her at centre.
Carys Cox and Lisa Neumann will feature on the wings, while Jasmine Joyce takes the full-back position.
In the half-back pairing, vice-captain Keira Bevan links up with Lleucu George at scrum-half and fly-half, respectively.
Up front, Pyrs joins Carys Phillips and Jenni Scoble in the front row, with Natalia John and Abbie Fleming locking the scrum behind them.
The flanker positions are filled by Kate Williams and Bethan Lewis, while Georgia Evans retains her place at number 8.
Road closures will be in place for tomorrow’s game.
The following roads will be closed from 1:45pm until 8:15pm:
- Tudor Street, Wood Street, Despenser Gardens and Fitzhammon Embankment.
- St Mary Street, Scott Road, Park Street, Havelock Street and Great Western Lane.
- Saunders Road / Penarth Road, Westgate Street, Guildhall Place, Golate, Quay Street, Wharton Street and Bakers Row.
- A small section of Kingsway between Boulevard de Nantes & Greyfriars Road will be closed but managed by staff to allow bus movements.
Wales’s squad to face England:
- Georgia Evans
- Bethan Lewis
- Kate Williams
- Gwen Crabb
- Abbie Fleming
- Jenni Scoble
- Carys Phillips
- Gwenllian Pyrs
- Keira Bevan
- Lleucu George
- Carys Cox
- Kayleigh Powell
- Hannah Jones (capt)
- Lisa Neumann
- Jasmine Joyce-Butchers
Replacements:
- Kelsey Jones
- Maisie Davies
- Donna Rose
- Alaw Pyrs
- Bryonie King
- Meg Davies
- Courtney Keight
- Nel Metcalfe
- The game will be shown live on BBC One at 4:45pm.
