HEAD coach Ioan Cunningham believes Wales’ squad for the Women’s Six Nations was the hardest to pick since the game went pro.

A 37-strong group has been named for this year’s championship, which gets under way against Scotland at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday, March 23 (kick-off 4.45pm).

Centre Hannah Jones will captain a squad that blends youth and experience with the core aiming to keep improving after helping Wales qualify for the WXV1 tournament that features the best six sides in the world.

The seasoned campaigners are joined by seven uncapped players – Jenny Hesketh, Cath Richards, Molly Reardon, Jenni Scoble, Gwennan Hopkins, Mollie Wilkinson and Sian Jones.

Lock Shona Wakley, who made her Wales debut in 2010, makes a return to the Wales squad and will be looking to add to the 45 caps she has already won for her country.

Experienced second rows Natalia John and Gwen Crabb return to the squad after missing out on WXV1 due to injury.

Cunningham, said: “This was the hardest squad to select since the game went professional in 2022 and there was plenty of debate within the coaching group around selection.

“This 2024 Six Nations campaign promises to be the biggest and toughest tournament so far but we are all excited to see the players named set new standards and take this team to new heights.

“The Welsh public’s support proved massive for the squad last season and a first stand-alone game against Italy in Principality Stadium is a mouthwatering end to the campaign, but we know we have some major challenges ahead of us before we get to that final weekend.

“We have named a squad full of proven experience at international rugby and a mix of exciting young talent we have seen emerge at club and Wales U20s level, especially through the new expanded Celtic Challenge tournament.

“The bulk of the squad played in WXV1 in New Zealand and have the experience of playing in a tournament for the best six teams in the world. We have named seven uncapped players who have impressed for their clubs so far this season.

“All of them have being playing regular rugby and deserve their opportunity to show what they can do in an international environment.”

“Jenny Hesketh and Cath Richards have impressed with their performances in the Premiership and Molly Reardon, Jenni Scoble, Gwennan Hopkins, Mollie Wilkinson and Sian Jones have done the same in the Celtic Challenge.

“We welcome back Welsh international Shona Wakley and her performances demonstrate that the door is always open for selection if a player’s performances warrant it. All the players, coaches and staff are excited to meet the challenge of a new Six Nations campaign.”

Wales Women’s Six Nations squad

Forwards: Gwenllian Pyrs, Abbey Constable, Carys Phillips, Kelsey Jones, Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble, Abbie Fleming, Natalia John, Gwen Crabb, Bryonie King, Shona Wakley, Alisha Butchers, Georgia Evans, Alex Callender, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Gwennan Hopkins.

Backs: Jasmine Joyce, Nel Metcalfe, Jenny Hesketh, Courtney Keight, Kayleigh Powell, Cath Richards, Lisa Neumann, Amelia Tutt, Hannah Jones (captain), Kerin Lake, Hannah Bluck, Carys Cox, Lleucu George, Mollie Wilkinson, Niamh Terry, Keira Bevan, Sian Jones, Meg Davies.

- Five Development players – Hanna Marshall, Seren Singleton, Maisie Davies, Cadi-Lois Davies and Alaw Pyrs – have been invited to train with the squad.

Wales fixtures

Round one: Scotland (home, Cardiff Arms Park) - Saturday, March 23 (4.45pm).

Round two: England (away, Ashton Gate) - Saturday, March 30 (4.45pm).

Round three: Ireland (away, Cork) - Saturday, April 13 (4.45pm).

Round four: France (home, Cardiff Arms Park) - Sunday, April 21 (3.15pm).

Round five: Italy (home, Principality Stadium) - Saturday, April 27 (12.15pm).