Rhian Wilkinson reveals why Mia Ross ‘intrigued’ her as the ex-England youth international prepares to make her Wales debut | OneFootball

Credit: Charlton Athletic

Rhian Wilkinson has revealed why uncapped Wales player Mia Ross intrigued her, after selecting the Charlton Athletic the midfielder in her squad for their upcoming friendlies with Australia and Wales.

The 22-year-old represented England at U19 and U23 level, playing alongside the likes of Grace Clinton and Aggie Beever-Jones.

However, it appears as though the box-to-box midfielder has opted to play for Wales at senior level.

Ross could have already made her Wales debut and even play a part for the nation at Euro 2025.

However, she remains uncapped after suffering an ACL injury last September, which she has now recovered from.

Rhian Wilkinson reveals why Mia Ross ‘intrigued’ her

Rhian Wilkinson revealed that she has been in communication with Mia Ross since she started her role as Wales head coach back in February 2024.

She told the BBC: “I think she’s got a vision and an understanding of space that’s always really interested me and intrigued me, and it’s a big decision to choose a nationality to play for.”

Wilkinson added that she is confident that Ross can fit in well with the Wales team.

She said: “Equally no-one will come into this squad if they’re not the right person for this squad. So yes, she was part of the England pathway, but there’s a type of person that I know can fit in well with this Welsh team.

“We have to keep our Welsh heritage, our Welsh understanding strong, that connection and passion for the flag, for the badge, has to be paramount. If that person that I’m looking at doesn’t have that, then I stop recruiting them.

“And from the beginning, Mia’s been very clear that this was something she was interested in, that she felt very strongly about, and we haven’t forced or pushed those conversations, it’s happened quite naturally, and she then got injured.

“So we gave her space and now she’s back playing well, and we’re really looking forward to having her for the first time in with the group.”

Uncapped players in Wales squad

Mia Ross is one of eight uncapped players in the Wales squad for their friendlies with Australia and Poland.

It comes as Wilkinson looks to continue to build the side after their first appearance at a major tournament at Euro 2025.

Also in the Wales squad are Annie Wilding, Gwen Zimmerman, Scarlett Hill and Amy Richardson, who get their first call-ups, while Poppy Soper, Teagan Scarlett and Tianna Teisar have been in previous squads but are yet to play.

Jess Fishlock to play last Wales game

The upcoming friendlies will also see Jess Fishlock play her last games for Wales.

She told SheKicks that her international retirement will be a bittersweet moment.

Fishlock said: “Honestly, I just wanted to give myself some time to think about it, just because I still feel good and I still love this game.

“But I think international is tough and they work in cycles and it was a big cycle, this World Cup one next, and I just didn’t think I could commit to that.

“And so, in the end, it was an easy decision and I think the right one.