Wales head coach Sean Lynn has named eight uncapped players in his 39-strong squad for this month’s WXV Global Series fixtures.

Back-row forwards Alex Callender and Kate Williams are co-captains for the Tests against South Africa and USA at Cardiff Arms Park.

They are joined in the squad by wings Amy Williams and Kelsie Webster and prop Stella Orrin, who played in June’s uncapped game against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

Five other Test novices are included – props Crystal James and Elan Jones, hooker Shanelle Williams, scrum half Megan Davey and centre Hanna Tudor.

Head coach Lynn said: “This selection underlines how hard the players, coaches and staff have worked, and we are seeing competition for places really develop in the squad.”

Callender will aim to win her first cap since the 2025 World Cup after missing the Six Nations through injury while fellow influential back-rower Kate Williams was also sidelined for the final three rounds of the championship.

Wales open their campaign against South Africa on Friday, 18 September (19:15 BST) and host USA on Saturday, 26 September (15:00 BST).

Lynn’s side then go to Tokyo to face Japan on Friday, 23 October (16:00 BST) before moving on to Kumagaya for a second Test on Saturday, 31 October (07:00 BST).

All three opponents are ranked above Wales, who have dropped to 12th in the world after nine consecutive Test defeats.

But they did end their losing streak against the Barbarians at Twickenham in June when Lynn was given food for thought after fielding an inexperienced side.

“We have really moved the dial during the first three weeks of pre-season with the fitness and the rugby sessions demanding more from the squad,” he said.

“The players have really pushed each other and to witness how that is driving standards in training is the reason why we have selected the squad size we have.”

Wales intend to hold a probables versus possibles training game to help with their selection for the South Africa opener.

Lynn named an extended 46-player training squad in August and then added half-back Megan Davey.

Lily Hawkins, Ffion Williams, Savannah Picton Powell, Hannah Marshall, Molly Wakely, Tilly Vucaj, Lucy Isaac and Anwen Owen miss out for the Cardiff fixtures.

Backs: Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears), Seren Lockwood (Brython Thunder), Megan Davey (Loughborough Lightning), Kayleigh Powell (Harlequins), Lleucu George (Gloucester-Hartpury), Courtney Keight (Sale Sharks), Freya Bell (Gwalia Lightning), Jenna De Vera (Brython Thunder), Hannah Dallavalle (Gloucester-Hartpury), Hanna Tudor (Unattached), Nikita Prothero (Gwalia Lightning), Jasmine Joyce (Brython Thunder), Amy Williams (Brython Thunder), Kelsie Webster (Gwalia Lightning), Lisa Neumann (Leicester Tigers), Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders), Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester-Hartpury), Seren Singleton (Brython Thunder)

Forwards: Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Maisie Davies (Exeter Chiefs), Katherine Baverstock (Leicester Tigers), Crystal James (Ealing Trailfinders), Shanelle Williams (Brython Thunder), Molly Reardon (Gwalia Lightning), Kelsey Jones (Sale Sharks), Elan Jones (Brython Thunder), Stella Orrin (Brython Thunder), Donna Rose (Saracens), Sisilia Tuipulotu (Harlequins), Gwen Crabb (Brython Thunder), Natalia John (Brython Thunder), Branwen Metcalfe (Brython Thunder), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Alex Callender (Harlequins), Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning), Bethan Lewis (Bristol Bears), Alisha Joyce (Brython Thunder), Kate Williams (Gloucester-Hartpury), Jorja Aiono (Gloucester-Hartpury)