Edwards takes on skills role as Taylor resigns

WALES Women skills coach Rachel Taylor has resigned ahead of their 2021 Six Nations campaign.

The former Wales captain, 37, was only appointed in November 2020, becoming the Welsh Rugby Union’s first professional national female coach.

No reason has been given for the resignation of Taylor, who won 67 caps before retiring in 2017.

Men’s Sevens coach Darren Edwards takes over her role on an interim basis, serving under head coach Warren Abrahams.

Wales face France on April 3 in Vannes in the delayed Six Nations opener, followed by a home match with Ireland the following Saturday.

It will be Abrahams’ Six Nations coaching debut after he was appointed at the same time as Taylor.

The former USA Women’s assistant Sevens coach has named three uncapped players in his

32-strong squad – Wasps fly-half Flo Williams, Saracens prop Donna Rose and Sale Sharks scrum-half Jess Roberts.

Siwan Lillicrap continues as captain and there are recalls for Sale Sharks second row Teleri Wyn Davies, who gained one cap against Scotland in 2018, along with Exeter full-back Niamh Terry and prop Gwenllian Jenkins, who won two caps in November 2019.

Keira Bevan returns after long-term injury, although former skipper Carys Phillips, plus Kayleigh Powell, Alisha Butchers, Lleucu George and Beth Lewis are unavailable through injury.

Abrahams said: “Selection came with some welcome headaches, I think this is a very competitive squad and a nice blend between the more experienced players and players new to the squad or returning.”