Dragons Women U18s have made 13 changes to their 25-woman squad for the second Regional Festival taking place at Cae Wern at Merthyr RFC this Sunday, (11am start).
The Girls of Gwent played in their first tournament together last week at CSE Ystrad Mynach and managed their first win over Ospreys, a draw with RGC and narrow losses to Cardiff Rugby and Scarlets.
Dragons led once again by captain Leanna Maybank will be looking to improve on their performances and continue their development as they take on their Welsh rivals in the second Regional Festival of three taking place throughout February.
The U18s will take on Ospreys, Scarlets, Cardiff Rugby and RGC in the battle for bragging rights and a potential place in the Welsh U18s national squad.
Caitlin Carter, Amelia Roche, Bonnie Miles, Abi Meyrick, Sadie O’Dea, Eleri Jackson, Mia Thomas, Molly Harwood, Maddison Collins, Thea Strickland-Grant, Nicole Pearce, Beth Lewis and Meg Matthews will all make their first appearance after missing out last week and will be keen to impress.
The WRU competition will see it’s finale at the Cardiff Arms Park next week with Wales head coach Liza Burgess then selecting a squad at the end of the month for international training and playing opportunities.
Dragons Women U18s backs Coach Kerry Jenkins said: “It’s always nice to get the first festival under your belt, I thought the girls did well for a first outing, a lot of different combinations, so I think we did really well in that aspect.”
“It’s a big occasion for the girls a lot of them are very proud and passionate I think we can learn to deal with that emotional side of it better on Sunday.
“We did play some nice stuff but the key improvements will be the contact area and our attacking phase play so hopefully the girls put their development in training this week into practice Sunday.”
“I am immensely proud of the girls, it’s a lot of hard work going on in the background and to see the girls go out there and put what the hard work into practice is really pleasing.”
“There are plenty of changes this week so a lot of opportunities for girls to put their hands up for selection heading into the last Festival next week and we are hoping to see a lot of development and fingers crossed we can get a few more wins under our belt.”
DRAGONS 25-WOMEN SQUAD: Caitlin Carter, Molly Wakely, Lizzie Regan, Amelia Roche, Cerys Clement, Bonnie Miles, Abi Meyrick, Chloe Thomas-Bradley, Sadie O’Dea, Demi Williams, Eleri Jackson, Leanna Maybank (C), Natalia Barnes, Molly Powell, Mia Thomas, Molly Harwood, Corri-Jo Greenslade, Maddison Collins, Thea Strickland-Grant, Nikkita Olsen, Nicole Pearce, Savannah Picton-Powell, Beth Lewis, Meg Matthews, Lucy Isaac.
