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Mared, Mayzee and Elise all in Cymru senior squad for Nations League games

Mared Griffiths (right) is in the full Cymru squad for the forthcoming Nations League ties against Italy and Sweden. Picture: FAW

Manchester United debut sensation Mared Griffiths has retained her place in the Cymru squad for the opening UEFA Women’s Nations League matches this month.

The 17-year-old from Trawsfynydd scored twice when holders United whipped Wolverhampton Wanderers 6-0 in the FA Cup on February 8.

A student at Coleg Meirion Dwyfor’s Dolgellau campus, Griffiths is a Wales Under-17 and Under-19 cap who in March 2024 was called up to the full national squad for the first time for UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying games against Croatia and Kosovo.

She was recalled to the senior team for qualifying matches in June and later qualifying play-offs against Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland, the latter resulting in Wales qualifying for Euro 2025 – their first-ever major tournament.

Now she makes the squad of 26 chosen by Rhian Wilkinson for the Nations League matches away to Italy and home to Sweden at the StōK Cae Ras, Wrexham.

Wales’ Elise Hughes scores goal number 6 and celebrates during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier League B match against Kosovo on April 9, 2024. (Pic by Ashley Crowden/FAW)

Hawarden-born striker Elise Hughes of Crystal Palace, who has won 23 full caps, returns following long term injury, while Manchester City defender Mayzee Davies, from Flint, is in contention for a fourth senior Cymru appearance.

Mayzee Davies. Picture: FAW

Cymru were promoted to League A in the Nations League after qualifying for the UEFA Women’s EUROs, the side’s first major tournament, which will take place this summer in Switzerland.

The Nations League campaign will start at the Stadio Brianteo in Monza against Italy on Friday 21 February (KO 5:15pm GMT), ahead of the match against Sweden in Wrexham on Tuesday 25 February (KO 7:15pm GMT).

Wilkinson’s side return to Wrexham having last played there in April 2024, with the attendance for the upcoming match already overtaking the 4,117 that attended last year’s fixture against Croatia.

Tickets are still available to purchase on the FAW ticketing website, priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children, with discounts available for Red Wall members.

SQUAD

Olivia CLARK (Leicester City), Laura O’SULLIVAN-JONES (Gwalia United), Safia MIDDLETON-PATEL (Manchester United), Rhiannon ROBERTS (Real Betis), Josie GREEN (Crystal Palace), Charlie ESTCOURT (DC Power), Hayley LADD (Everton), Gemma EVANS (Liverpool), Mayzee DAVIES (Manchester City), Lily WOODHAM (Crystal Palace- On loan from Seattle Reign), Ella POWELL (Bristol City), Scarlett HILL (Manchester United), Esther MORGAN (Sheffield United), Alice GRIFFITHS (Durham- On loan from Southampton), Angharad JAMES (Seattle Reign), Lois JOEL (Newcastle United), Carrie JONES (IFK Norrköping), Ffion MORGAN (Bristol City), Jess FISHLOCK (Seattle Reign), Ceri HOLLAND (Liverpool), Ellen JONES (Sunderland), Kayleigh BARTON (Charlton Athletic), Mary MCATEER (Sunderland), Mared GRIFFITHS (Manchester United), Hannah CAIN (Leicester City), Elise HUGHES (Crystal Palace).