Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson has called on the Red Wall not to miss the opportunity to watch Jess Fishlock represent her country as the side prepare to take on Denmark in the UEFA Women’s Nations League at the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday 4 April (7:15pm).
“I don’t know when she’ll retire but she will not play forever,” said Wilkinson at her squad announcement on Wednesday. “If you haven’t had the privilege of seeing someone like her play then get out to Cardiff. These are things I think we as Welsh people take for granted. Those who didn’t see Gareth Bale when he was playing regret it. Don’t regret this. She is a very special player who is really delivering in every single game she plays in.”
Cymru also take on Sweden in Gothenburg on Tuesday 8 April (6:00pm) as Wilkinson’s side look to build on the 1-1 draw with Sweden in Wrexham last month and improve their standing in Group A4. The campaign began with a 1-0 defeat to Italy in Monza, but the competition provides Cymru with valuable preparation for the EURO finals that will take place in Switzerland this summer where they will face the Netherlands, France and England.
“I’m like all coaches in that we do a lot of reviewing of what happened, what went well, where we want to improve and also the excitement of this next window coming up,” Wilkinson added. “We were disappointed with our loss against Italy and that’s something that I was almost proud of from the team. We want to keep pushing our own standards and there’s a lot of improvement areas from both those games. What I’m liking about the team is how we are dissecting games and the players themselves were disappointed with the loss.
“I think we could have got something from the Sweden game. They’re a very strong team, but we know that when we do get opportunities, we have to make them count. We’ve got to make sure that we’re clinical, we’ve got to make sure that we’re creating opportunities that are of the highest quality and that our possession is in the most dangerous areas of the pitch. We’re going to be playing top opposition and we’ve got to make sure that we’re just the best version of ourselves and we hold ourselves to our own account and not from outside expectations.”
The return of Rachel Rowe from injury offers a timely boost for Wilkinson while Tianna Teisar and Poppy Soper also return to the squad. Mayzee Davies, 18, remains with the senior squad following her first start against Italy when she was named Player of the Match. “There’s an intensity about her that is uniquely her own,” said Wilkinson when asked about Rowe’s return. “She’s a senior international and someone who’s given everything to her country. It’s great to have her back with this squad.”
Meanwhile, Mared Griffiths and Scarlett Hill will represent the Cymru WU19 side in their UEFA qualifiers during this international window and Wilkinson also explained that decision. “We are a connected group, and we should be. The players should always feel like they have a pathway into the senior team, but equally, the whole pathway needs to work together. It’s not a step down. This is an opportunity for them to get some really important minutes against strong opposition.”
Meanwhile, Sophie Ingle continues her recovery and rehabilitation from her ACL injury and will be on camp as the side continue to prepare for the EURO finals. “Sophie’s done everything in her power to make sure that she’s taking care of herself,” Wilkinson explained. “We know with injuries like that, it’s very individual. There’s no comparison and it’s a dangerous thing to do. It’s her own journey back to fitness, and like any player that’s injured, we want to make sure that they always feel part of the group.
“Sophie is someone who has a quiet presence, but maybe a quiet confidence for the group as well. It feels very normal seeing her with the team, as it has for so many of our injured players. I would like to thank the FAW because I don’t think every national team is given that opportunity which is to make sure injured players are right there. I have been a player and when you’re injured it’s a very lonely time and the only thing that we can do really is to make sure that they feel like they’re still part of the group.”
Cymru’s previous experience of competing in League A of the Nations League was in 2023/24 and Wilkinson believes that experience was invaluable for her squad. “To experience all of that adds to them maybe feeling a little bit more like this is where they belong,” she explained. “For me, I’ve inherited a League A team that’s just right on the cusp of believing that they deserve to be there and they continue to step forward. I think we’ve had some success and I think we continue to push our standards, but equally I’m aware of what I’m asking of my team.
“It does leave us sometimes a little more exposed than we could be, but I’m willing to take those chances. I’m willing to push my team and I’m willing to stand behind them if errors are made because there’s no progression without bravery. I’m so impressed with this group. They do everything they can with everything they have and for me it’s a real privilege to stand with them. I’m looking forward to these next few games because they’re all tests of who we are.”
Wilkinson also called on the Red Wall to get behind her team at the Cardiff City Stadium. “This is one of the last opportunities to see this team before the EURO. Can you help me in letting them feel supported? Because I know that there is so much support and sometimes we just don’t always see that in the numbers coming out to the games, but this is an important game for us, a huge game for us. So I would ask people to come out to support their team and let this wonderful group of women feel as loved as they are.”
