Former Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap has backed flanker Alex Callender for a spot on the plane to the inaugural Women’s Lions Tour to New Zealand. Wales finished bottom of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations, but Sean Lynn’s side were managing several key injuries and integrating a number of young players.
Callender was one such absentee after suffering a string of injuries over the past two years. Now fit, the 26-year-old captained Wales to a win over the Barbarians in July, and as a result, Lillicrap believes her compatriot will make the trip to New Zealand.
Lillicrap’s praise for Callender
“[Callender] is one of the best sevens, if not the best seven in the world, in my opinion,” said Lillicrap. “If she gets a run of form this year, I'm certain she would be on that tour from a Welsh perspective. She's a shining light in the Welsh side. There are some other players as well that will be in with a shot. Sisilia Tuipulotu potentially in the front row. You've got Kelsey Jones as an experienced hooker.”
“We’ve also got some youngsters coming through, and if you look back at the last men's tour, there is the possibility that you might get them involved. You look at Henry Pollock, he had a phenomenal year, didn't he? Played in the U20s for England and then within 12 months he's on a Lions tour. It comes down to form.”
Royal London’s investment in women’s rugby
Lillicrap is an ambassador for Royal London, the founding partner of the British & Irish Lions women’s side. Through Royal London's partnership with The British & Irish Lions, they are investing £3 million to drive positive, long-term change for women’s rugby, including their annual Championing Women and Girls’ Grassroots Rugby Award.
The initiative, in its third year, recognises four clubs per year, one chosen from each Union, who will receive a trophy plus a £10,000 grant to invest in their women and girls' programmes. This year’s Welsh winner was Clwb Rygbi Y Bala (Bala RFC), who boast a thriving women and girls section, with more Women’s players than Men’s players at the club.
Bala RFC’s impact in Wales
Lillicrap said: “Wales is a small nation. We've got a population of just 3.2 million. So, every club has a significant impact on developing the game, and Bala RFC have done a great job over the years in creating a community for women and girls.”
“This funding will help them be able to improve their infrastructure, put some development into facilities, but also ensure they're constantly developing and nurturing women and girls on and off the field, and that might be coaches or referees or, you know, even board members hopefully within clubs. You know, representation is hugely important, but they've proven that they're a successful club with kind of their success over the last few years.”
