Wales injury blow as Powell ruled out of WXV

Lynn's squad has taken a battering during pre-season, with Premiership Women's Rugby (PRW) title-winning prop Donna Rose and uncapped centres Kelsie Webster and Hanna Tudor already ruled out.

Lynn said the growing injury list was an indication of the intensity in training.

"We don't want to be where we are ranked in the world [13th], we want to be more competitive and we've had to move the dial this pre-season," he said.

"The girls have said it's probably the hardest off-season, and that's what we have to do. It's now about getting depth in our squad, and we're getting that because of the competitive environment."

Backs Carys Cox and Nel Metcalfe have returned to training, but will not be in contention for Friday's opening game.

"Carys started doing some rugby this week and we're hoping she will go back into it again next week. Fingers crossed, and with all boxes ticked, we might see her come off the bench and get some minutes against USA," Lynn said.

"And for Nel, what we'll be looking for is can we take her to Japan?"

Backs: Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears), Seren Lockwood (Brython Thunder), Megan Davey (Loughborough Lightning), Lleucu George (Gloucester-Hartpury), Courtney Keight (Sale Sharks), Freya Bell (Gwalia Lightning), Jenna De Vera (Brython Thunder), Hannah Dallavalle (Gloucester-Hartpury), Hanna Tudor (Unattached), Nikita Prothero (Gwalia Lightning), Jasmine Joyce (Brython Thunder), Amy Williams (Brython Thunder), Kelsie Webster (Gwalia Lightning), Lisa Neumann (Leicester Tigers), Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders), Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester-Hartpury), Seren Singleton (Brython Thunder)

Forwards: Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Maisie Davies (Exeter Chiefs), Katherine Baverstock (Leicester Tigers), Crystal James (Ealing Trailfinders), Shanelle Williams (Brython Thunder), Molly Reardon (Gwalia Lightning), Kelsey Jones (Sale Sharks), Elan Jones (Brython Thunder), Stella Orrin (Brython Thunder), Sisilia Tuipulotu (Harlequins), Gwen Crabb (Brython Thunder), Natalia John (Brython Thunder), Branwen Metcalfe (Brython Thunder), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Alex Callender (Harlequins), Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning), Bethan Lewis (Bristol Bears), Alisha Joyce (Brython Thunder), Kate Williams (Gloucester-Hartpury), Jorja Aiono (Gloucester-Hartpury)