Joyce ‘shocked’ to receive Wales call-up for Women’s Six Nations only months after giving birth

<ul><li><p>Joyce gave birth in November and returned to pitch in March</p></li><li><p>Bristol flanker hopes to be role model for next generation</p></li></ul><p>Alisha Joyce returned to the rugby pitch in March just 123 days after giving birth and a week later was named in Wales’s squad for the Women’s Six Nations. The 28‑year‑old says she was “shocked” to get the call-up after welcoming her son, Ralphie, in November but adds it’s “cool” to be a role model for the next generation of players.</p><p>Joyce was the first Wales player to use the governing body’s new performance maternity programme. The back-row, who shares Ralphie with her wife and teammate Jasmine Joyce, has played only 30 minutes of rugby since returning last month in a game for Brython Thunder where she came off the bench.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/apr/01/alisha-joyce-womens-six-nations-wales-rugby-union-birth">Continue reading...</a>