Wales Women looking back and we expect all fans to be happy and not to forget our history

Wales Women appoint former England assistant Rhian Wilkinson as their new head coach; the 41-year-old most recently coached at American club Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League; the Canadian has joined Wales on a contract until 2027 to succeed Gemma Grainger

Wales have appointed former England and Team GB assistant Rhian Wilkinson as the new head coach of their women’s team.

The 41-year-old won 183 caps for Canada between 2003 and 2017 and coached most recently at American club Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League.

She has joined Wales on a contract until 2027 and succeeds Gemma Grainger, who ended her three-year reign last month to take charge of Norway.

Wilkinson said: “It’s an incredible honour to be taking on the role of Cymru head coach.

“The team has gone from strength to strength in the last few years and I aim to build on that with our mission to qualify for next summer’s Euros and beyond.

“We have a group of players that are ready and deserve to be in major tournaments. I can’t wait to meet them and work with them.

“My mother is Welsh, and I spent part of my childhood growing up in south Wales, so I’m excited to involve myself with the country’s culture and explore that part of my roots even further.”