Wales women's scrum-half Seren Lockwood has been ruled out of Saturday's WXV Global Series match against USA after failing a head injury assessment sustained during the first half of Wales' eight-try victory over South Africa. The loss of Lockwood represents a significant blow to the team, as she and Keira Bevan had been forming a promising new half-back partnership that impressed during the South African fixture.

To mitigate the absence, Lleucu George will return to the number ten position with Bevan reverting to scrum-half, whilst Carys Cox's return to fitness following summer knee surgery provides additional backline options at centre and wing. Head coach Sean Lynn expressed confidence in the alternative half-back pairing whilst praising Cox's rehabilitation progress and athleticism. Fellow back Nel Metcalfe remains unavailable for the USA fixture and is not expected to return until next month's two-Test tour of Japan, though her recovery is progressing well.