SIWAN Lillicrap will continue to captain Wales in the rescheduled Women's Six Nation in April.

The forward has been skipper since November 2019 when she took over from hooker Carys Phillips.

Phillips has earned a recall from new head coach Warren Abrahams but it will be Lillicrap leading from the front when Wales start their campaign away to France on the weekend of April 3.

She said: "It's a huge honour as always to put on the Wales jersey and to lead the team is incredibly special to me, especially at this time.

"The girls have put in so much work on and off the field over the past year without any international fixtures and to have some Six Nations matches to look forward to and aim for now means so much to us all.

"We are grateful to have this opportunity and the privilege of representing and leading your country never diminishes. It's something you can never assume or take for granted.

"We've all been challenged in new ways in recent months and I know I've worked hard to prove myself to Warren as a player and captain, which makes it even more meaningful."

Wales will travel to France on the weekend of April 3, host Ireland the following weekend and contest a third, 'play-off' match on the weekend of April 24 in a format similar to the Autumn Nations Cup.

Abrahams believes the side is in as good as place as possible five weeks out from their opening game.

"We are pushing ourselves as a management team and we are squeezing every drop out of our weekly coaching sessions and other ways we can grow as a squad," he said.

"Every team has had to re-evaluate following the effects of the pandemic on sport and I believe the teams that come out best after all this will be the ones who are best equipped to adapt to the different pressures and challenges.

"It is fantastic to watch the contribution our players are making to their Allianz Premier 15s clubs. They are benefitting from top quality coaching and game-time there and we are grateful for that too."

Abrahams has extended his training squad with a view to developing depth in readiness for the World Cup in September.

Along with the return from injury of internationals Lleucu George, Kerin Lake and Ffion Lewis, he has added five uncapped players in 17-year-old Gloucester-Hartpury forward Sisilia Tuipulotu, props Laura Bleehen, Gwenllian Jenkins and Madi Johns and Exeter scrum-half Megan Davies.

Wales also welcome back Mel Howley (née Clay) after a year out due to the birth of her son along with Phillips and Bethan Dainton.

Forwards: Laura Bleehen, Abbie Fleming, Alisha Butchers, Gwen Crabb, Bethan Dainton, Georgia Evans, Cerys Hale, Cara Hope, Mel Howley, Molly Kelly, Gwenllian Jenkins, Natalia John, Manon Johnes, Madi Johns, Kelsey Jones, Beth Lewis, Siwan Lillicrap, Robyn Lock, Carys Phillips, Shona Powell-Hughes, Donna Rose, Caryl Thomas, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Teleri Wyn Davies

Backs : Keira Bevan, Megan Davies, Alecs Donovan, Lleucu George, Beth Huntley, Bryonie King, Courtney Keight, Jade Knight, Kerin Lake, Caitlin Lewis, Ffion Lewis, Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones, Jasmine Joyce, Kayleigh Powell, Paige Randall, Jess Roberts, Gemma Rowland, Lauren Smyth, Elinor Snowsill, Niamh Terry, Meg Webb, Robyn Wilkins, Flo Williams