WRU Development XV head coach Mike Hill has named Dragons Women U18s duo Amy Williams and Molly Reardon in a strong team to face Combined Provinces XV at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday (11am).
Six additional Wales internationals come into the starting line-up following the side’s entertaining 29-27 win over Thistles last weekend.
Rugby World Cup squad members Sioned Harries, Lowri Norkett and Niamh Terry come in at No 8, left wing and full-back. Caitlin Lewis gets the nod on the right wing while Megan Davies and Teleri Wyn Davies, who last featured internationally in the 2021 Women’s Six Nations, start at scrum-half and lock respectively.
Saracens and Cheltenham Tigers props Mica Evans and Abbey Constable join Kat Evans in the front row against what is expected to be a strong Irish outfit. Captain Abbie Fleming moves to the blindside flank alongside Harries and Seven Sisters’ Mel Gnojek.
Hill said, “There were so many positives last weekend and it was great to see the girls’ team spirit to dig in and come away with the win. That certainly helped build momentum into this week but we have also highlighted some opportunities that we could have taken and areas we want to improve in. It’s all about us and how we can get better.
“We said from the outset that this pilot competition was about developing players and giving others additional game time where needed. The international players have really got stuck into training and their experience is rubbing off on the whole squad.
“We have rewarded players who performed exceptionally well last weekend, while we feel this is the side that suits the game we want to play on Sunday.
“The Combined Provinces XV is full of experienced players who have just come off the back of an inter-provincial championship with their provinces. This team, along with the Thistles last weekend, is exactly the type of opposition we want to be playing to challenge ourselves and step up to the next level. It was exciting to see what the players are capable of in Glasgow and that is what we are asking for again on Sunday.
“We are looking forward to the experience of playing at Cardiff Arms Park, the home of Wales Women, and I’m sure the players will be buoyed by some vocal home support.”
WRU Development XV v Combined Provinces XV:
Sunday 29 January 11am, Cardiff Arms Park
15 Niamh Terry (Worcester Warriors)
14 Caitlin Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury/ Cardiff Met)
13 Catherine Richards (Cardiff Met)
12 Jenna De Vera (Scarlets U18s/ Burry Port)
11 Lowri Norkett (Worcester Warriors)
10 Lauren Smyth (Bristol Bears)
9 Megan Davies (Bristol Bears)
1 Mica Evans (Saracens)
2 Kat Evans (Saracens)
3 Abbey Constable (Cheltenham Tigers/ Gloucester Hartpury)
4 Teleri Wyn Davies (Caernarfon)
5 Charlie Mundy (Pontyclun Falcons)
6 Abbie Fleming (capt, Exeter Chiefs)
7 Mel Gnojek (Seven Sisters)
8 Sioned Harries (Worcester Warriors)
Replacements
16 Hannah Stephens (Bath Ladies)
17 Dali Hopkins (Ospreys U18s/ Greyhounds)
18 Jenni Scoble (Worcester Warriors)
19 Katie Hopkins (Pontyclun Falcons)
20 Gwennan Hopkins (Hartpury College)
21 Molly Reardon (Dragons U18s/ Cardiff Met)
22 Beth Jones (Cheltenham Tigers / Gloucester Hartpury)
23 Amy Williams (Dragons U18s/ Coleg Gwent)
