Dragons RFC ace Molly Reardon is named in the Wales Development XV as they aim to end their Celtic Challenge on a high when they head across the Irish Sea to tackle the Combined Provinces XV at Belfast’s Kingspan Stadium on Saturday (February 18, kick-off 4.30pm).
Head coach Mike Hill has once again rung the changes in the wake of last weekend’s 21-7 home defeat to Scottish Thistles at Cardiff Arms Park. When the two teams met on Welsh soil in January, the Provinces nicked a 27-26 victory.
“Last weekend’s game highlighted a few errors that we have got to get right. Our set piece had been working really well for us, but it faltered for the first time,” said Hill, who saw his side beat the Thistles 29-27 in Glasgow.
“Without a solid set piece it is hard to get into the game. Possession and territory comes off the back of that.
“Some of the individual intent to play was outstanding and the work-rate from the backs, in particular, was great. The Thistles put us under a lot of pressure physically and it will be the same in Ireland.”
There are eight changes overall to the side from last week, some of them positional. Melissa Gnojek and Bryonie King join Kate Williams in the back row in the only changes up front, while behind the scrum Caitlin Lewis moves from centre to full back.
The experienced Robyn Wilkins joins Reardon in a new half-back pairing, while Amelia Tutt takes over on the wing from Lisa Neumann.
Wales Development XV: Caitlin Lewis; Amelia Tutt, Jenna De Vera, Niamh Terry, Molly Phillpot; Robyn Wilkins, Molly Reardon; Rosie Carr, Kat Evans, Danielle Dinapoli, Charlie Mundy, Abbie Fleming, Kate Williams, Melissa Gnojek, Bryonie King
Replacements: Tara Finnegan, Mica Evans, Katie Carr, Katie Jenkins, Kira Phillpot, Niamh Tinman, Chelsea Jones, Anwen Owen
