Wales have confirmed that Kayleigh Powell, the Harlequins full-back, will miss the entire WXV Global Series campaign due to a hamstring injury sustained in training. The 27-year-old sevens Olympian had been a prominent player, impressing at full-back during the Six Nations and at fly-half when Wales ended a nine-match losing streak against the Barbarians in June.
Powell will not participate in Wales' Tests against South Africa, USA, and Japan. Head coach Sean Lynn is also without Premiership Women's Rugby (PRW) title-winning prop Donna Rose, while backs Carys Cox and Nel Metcalfe have recently returned to training.
Lleucu George is a potential option at fly-half, and scrum-half Keira Bevan also trained in that position during pre-season. Wales are scheduled to begin their campaign against South Africa at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday at 19:15 BST.