Wales will aim to repeat Newport heroics against Aussies Down Under

WALES Women will attempt to repeat their Rodney Parade heroics when they take on Australia in a two-Test tour next summer.

The clashes coincide with the men’s British and Irish Lions tour to face the Wallabies, with the second Test against the Wallaroos in Sydney on Friday, August 1 the day before Andy Farrell’s side play the third Test.

Wales will take on the Aussies, who are ranked five places above them in fifth in the world, in Brisbane on Friday, July 26. The venues are yet to be confirmed.

The sides met twice at the end of this year with Wales winning in Newport in September thanks to a last-gasp winner by Kate Williams but then the Wallaroos dished out a thumping at WXV2 in South Africa.

Captain Hannah Jones said: “Playing Australia is always a challenge, and we have had some really close contests in recent times and recorded our first historic victory over the Wallaroos at Rodney Parade in 2024.

“Playing Australia in their own backyard would be a challenge for any side but it is a challenge we are looking forward to ahead of the 2025 World Cup in England in August and September.

“Knowing what a sports-mad nation Australia is, having lived and played rugby there, to play the Wallaroos when rugby union will be very much at the front of everyone’s mind with the Lions Test series being played is an exciting prospect.

“We have a Six Nations campaign before the tour and will be looking to build confidence and momentum during that tournament and the summer tour ahead of what promises to be the biggest Rugby World Cup we have seen in the women’s game.”

Wales are currently hunting for a new boss after the departure of Ioan Cunningham.

They recorded a 19-10 win over Japan in their last Test match in WXV2 in South Africa back in October. It was Wales’ second victory in four games and the win against the Japanese secured qualification for the 2025 World Cup in England.

The Australian Rugby Union will confirm venues and KO times in the New Year.

Wales will host two Women’s 2025 Six Nations clashes against England at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, on Saturday, March 29, (kick-off 4.45pm) and Ireland at Rodney Parade on Sunday, April 20 (3pm).