Head coaches Steve Tandy and Sean Lynn have today announced their Wales XVs to play Barbarian F.C in a double header at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday 27 June with both matches live on S4C.
Dewi Lake and Alex Callender will captain the two sides in their respective uncapped fixtures, which see the men kick off at 2pm followed by the women at 5pm.
Dragons RFC have five players in the men's match day squad with Dillon Lewis, Ben Carter and Aaron Wainwright all starting while Ryan Woodman and Harrison Keddie are set for debuts from the bench.
There are four uncapped players among the men’s replacements: loose-head prop Rhys Barratt, tight-head prop Ben Warren, second row Woodman and back row Keddie. Second row Teddy Williams makes his return to the red jersey for the first time this season following injury.
There are five uncapped players in the women’s match-day squad. Wings Amy Williams and Kelsey Webster, prop Stella Orrin, flanker Lucy Isaac and scrum half Lily Hawkins are the new faces to wear the red of Wales for the first time at senior level. Flanker Alisha Joyce makes her first start for Wales since the birth of her son Ralphie.
Eleven of the women’s starting line-up are aged 22 or under and 14 of them have played Celtic Challenge rugby for Brython Thunder or Gwalia Lightning.
Men’s head coach Steve Tandy said: “We’ve had a good block of training building towards this game and are excited to get our summer underway on Saturday.
“I’m delighted for Rhys, Ben, Ryan and Harrison, who are all in-line to make their first senior appearance for Wales.
“The Barbarians will present a good challenge for us. They have lots of skilful players and I’m sure it’ll be a high pace game with lots of offloads. That in turn will be a great preparation for us as we head into the Nations Championship and playing Fiji the week after.
“The more games we play the more consistent we can be. We’re looking to pick up where we left off in the Six Nations and continue to build and improve as a group.”
Women’s head coach Sean Lynn said: “This is a young and exciting team selected to face the Barbarians and every one of these players have deserved this opportunity.
“Eleven of the starting line-up are aged 22 or under and it’s a great shop window for them to show what they have delivered in training over the last three weeks.
“We asked the players to assume nothing and to all fight for this chance to wear the red jersey, they have done that in training in the last three weeks and deserve to be selected.
“We have five new faces in Amy Williams, Kelsie Webster, Stella Orrin, Lucy Isaac and Lily Hawkins, and they are representing the future of this Wales team.
“All of the players have really stepped up and with the players we have missing due to the PWR semi-finals and final, it’s a real opportunity to see the next generation of Wales players.
“Having Al Cal back is a major boost with the energy she brings, and she is the emotional heartbeat for every side she plays for.”
Wales men’s XVs to face the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Saturday 27 June, men’s KO 2pm
15 Blair Murray (Scarlets – 16 caps)
14 Tom Rogers (Scarlets – 13 caps)
13 Eddie James (Scarlets – 9 caps)
12 Joe Hawkins (Scarlets – 11 caps)
11Ellis Mee (Scarlets – 8 caps)
10 Dan Edwards (Ospreys – 11 caps)
9 Kieran Hardy (Ospreys – 31 caps)
1 Gareth Thomas (Ospreys – 44 caps)
2 Dewi Lake (Captain, Ospreys – 31 caps)
3 Dillon Lewis (Dragons – 57 caps)
4 Ben Carter (Dragons – 19 caps)
5 Teddy Williams (Cardiff Rugby – 8 caps)
6 Taine Plumtree (Scarlets – 14 caps)
7 Jac Morgan (Ospreys – 24 caps)
8 Aaron Wainwright (Dragons – 67 caps)
Replacements:
Ryan Elias (Scarlets – 48 caps)
Rhys Barratt (Cardiff Rugby – uncapped)
Ben Warren (Ospreys – uncapped)
Ryan Woodman (Dragons – uncapped)
Harrison Keddie (Dragons – uncapped)
Reuben Morgan-Williams (Ospreys – 2 caps)
Sam Costelow (Scarlets – 20 caps)
Mason Grady (Cardiff Rugby – 17 caps)
Wales women’s XVs to face the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham Saturday 27 June, KO 5pm
15 Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester-Hartpury – 16 caps)
14 Kelsie Webster (Gwalia Lightning – uncapped)
13 Courtney Keight (Sale Sharks/Brython Thunder – 33 caps)
12 Jenna De Vera (Bristol Bears/Brython Thunder – 2 caps)
11 Amy Williams (Brython Thunder – uncapped)
10 Kayleigh Powell (Harlequins – 33 caps)
9 Seren Lockwood (Brython Thunder – 9 caps)
1 Maisie Davies (Bristol Bears/Gwalia Lightning – 17 caps)
2 Molly Reardon (Gwalia Lightning – 17 caps)
3 Sisilia Tuipulotu (Harlequins/Brython Thunder – 34 caps)
4 Branwen Metcalfe (Brython Thunder – 6 caps)
5 Jorja Aiono (Brython Thunder/Gloucester-Hartpury – 5 caps)
6 Alisha Joyce (Brython Thunder – 56 caps)
7 Alex Callender (captain, Harlequins - 47 caps)
8 Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning – 17 caps)
Replacements
16 Kelsey Jones (Unattached – 57 caps)
17 Katherine Baverstock (Leicester Tigers/Gwalia Lightning – 1 cap)
18 Stella Orrin (Brython Thunder – uncapped)
19 Alaw Pyrs (Gwalia Lightning/Gloucester-Hartpury – 10 caps)
20 Lucy Isaac (Brython Thunder – uncapped)
21 Lily Hawkins (Gwalia Lightning – uncapped)
22 Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears – 83 caps)
23 Freya Bell (Gwalia Lightning – 2 caps)
