Wales return to Newport for Poland friendly

Wales will play their first game in front of a Rodney Parade crowd for six years when they host Poland on Tuesday, 28 October (19:45 GMT).

The match in Newport will come three days after Rhian Wilkinson's side face Australia in another friendly at Cardiff City Stadium.

Wales boss Wilkinson has suggested some senior players may retire in October having finally had the opportunity to play at a major tournament, Euro 2025.

Influential midfielder Jess Fishlock said after Wales' group-stage exit in Switzerland that she needed to think about her international future while striker Kayleigh Barton has already hung up her boots.

However, Sophie Ingle - who has returned to former club Bristol CIty - has said she still plans to add to her 142 Wales caps.

The last time Wales played in front of fans at Rodney Parade was a Euro 2021 qualifier against Northern Ireland in September 2019, which they drew 2-2.

Subsequent games staged at the Newport venue in that campaign - against Faeroe Islands and Belarus - were played behind closed doors during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Wales last faced Poland in 2016, drawing a Cyprus Cup friendly 1-1 with a goal from Helen Ward.

The Poles, under head coach Nina Patalon, were also making their bow on the major international stage at Euro 2025, where they lost to Germany and Sweden before beating Denmark 3-2 to finish third in Group C.

Wales lost all three of their games, finishing bottom of Group D after defeats against Netherlands, France and England.

The two friendly fixtures in October will mark the beginning of preparations for 2027 World Cup qualifying, which will take place from February to December 2026.

The draw for the European qualifying tournament for Brazil 2027 is scheduled to take place on 4 November, 2025.

Both the match against Poland and the game with Australia on Saturday, 25 October (14:00 BST) will be live on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer, the BBC sport website and app, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru.