Wales head into the 2026 campaign with major changes across both squad and coaching setup.
New head coach Sean Lynn looks to reset a side that has struggled for consistency in recent seasons.
A new captain has been appointed in Kate Williams, while several uncapped players have entered the environment.
After back-to-back bottom-place finishes and a disappointing Women’s Rugby World Cup campaign, the pressure is on to deliver a stronger showing.
George says the mood in camp reflects that shift.
“Coming into camp is completely fresh, it’s almost stripping it back and starting from the beginning,” she said.
Wales’ Evolution
Wales have also reshaped their coaching group.
Former Wales international Ashley Beck has stepped in as interim attack coach, while Steve Salvin joins as interim forwards coach alongside his role with Exeter Chiefs Women.
Beck arrives after guiding Brython Thunder to a Celtic Challenge semi-final, working with several players now in the national setup.
That familiarity will help Wales settle quickly into a new attacking structure.
For George, improving attacking fluency is a clear priority.
“Hopefully we can get more hands on the ball because in the last few campaigns we’ve struggled to have that go forward and express ourselves as a backline,” she said.
“We’ve got powerful, pacey players that we can move the ball to and, with the shape we’re going in with, that’s the aim.”
An Old Foe
That intent will be tested immediately.
Wales open their campaign against Scotland at the Principality Stadium, in what will be their first match since their World Cup exit in September.
Scotland will arrive with confidence.
They beat Wales 38–8 at the World Cup in a dominant display and reached the quarter-finals under Bryan Easson.
They are now led by former USA head coach Sione Fukofuka, adding another layer of change to the opening fixture.
Despite that, Wales remain focused inward.
“It doesn’t matter who we’re coming up against in the first week, it’s the first game, so we really want to try and put a stamp down,” George said.
“It’s a fresh start, we’ve got new coaches coming in and a different style of playing.
“It’s the same for them, they’ve got new coaches.
We don’t really know what they’re going to bring, but we’re concentrating on ourselves as much as we can.
Obviously we’ll look a little bit at them, but the onus is on us.”
With both sides entering a new cycle, the opener offers Wales a chance to reset the narrative — and show that this “fresh start” can translate into performances on the pitch.
