Dragons Women’s hooker Rhian Bowden is set to captain the Welsh side as they take on Italy at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. She will be joined by Dragons teammates Caryl Thomas, Clare Flowers and Jamie Kift in the starting lineup,
The bench sees 4 more Women of Gwent as Megan York Sian Williams Amy Day and Aimee Young are all selected.
This will be the first time that the women will play at the Millennium Stadium, with the match following the men’s match on Saturday.
Entry to the match will be free via gates 2 and 3 of the Stadium.
After last weekend's disappointing record defeat to Ireland, Coach Rhys Edwards has taken the opportunity to freshen up his backline for penultimate round of fixtures.
Elen Evans will make her first start of the tournament at centre after recovering from a dislocated elbow. She comes in for teenager Rebecca de Filippo who drops down to the bench.
Caryl James comes in for Charlie Murray on the wing with Mared Evans getting a first start of the campaign at fly half. Her inclusion sees Naomi Thomas switched to inside centre with Adi Taviner dropping out of the match day 22.
"With Elen's return along with that of full back Aimee Young who starts the game on the bench, competition for places in the backline is now extremely competitive," explained Edwards.
The only change in the forwards sees vastly experienced Clare Flowers get the nod ahead of Vicky Owens in the second row.
Wales Women's vs Italy Womens, Millennium Stadium, Sat 10 March KO 5pm
15 Rosie Fletcher, 14 Caryl James, 13 Elen Evans, 12 Naomi Thomas, 11 Philippa Tuttiett, 10 Mared Evans, 9 Laura Prosser
1 Caryl Thomas, 2 Rhian Bowden (Capt), 3 Jenny Davies, 4 Clare Flowers, 5 Shona Powell Hughes, 6 Lisa Newton, 7 Sioned Harries, 8 Jamie Kift
Replacements
16 Lowri Harries, 17 Megan York, 18 Vicky Owens, 19 Sian Williams, 20 Amy Day, 21 Rebecca de Filippo, 22 Aimee Young.
The bench sees 4 more Women of Gwent as Megan York Sian Williams Amy Day and Aimee Young are all selected.
This will be the first time that the women will play at the Millennium Stadium, with the match following the men’s match on Saturday.
Entry to the match will be free via gates 2 and 3 of the Stadium.
After last weekend's disappointing record defeat to Ireland, Coach Rhys Edwards has taken the opportunity to freshen up his backline for penultimate round of fixtures.
Elen Evans will make her first start of the tournament at centre after recovering from a dislocated elbow. She comes in for teenager Rebecca de Filippo who drops down to the bench.
Caryl James comes in for Charlie Murray on the wing with Mared Evans getting a first start of the campaign at fly half. Her inclusion sees Naomi Thomas switched to inside centre with Adi Taviner dropping out of the match day 22.
"With Elen's return along with that of full back Aimee Young who starts the game on the bench, competition for places in the backline is now extremely competitive," explained Edwards.
The only change in the forwards sees vastly experienced Clare Flowers get the nod ahead of Vicky Owens in the second row.
Wales Women's vs Italy Womens, Millennium Stadium, Sat 10 March KO 5pm
15 Rosie Fletcher, 14 Caryl James, 13 Elen Evans, 12 Naomi Thomas, 11 Philippa Tuttiett, 10 Mared Evans, 9 Laura Prosser
1 Caryl Thomas, 2 Rhian Bowden (Capt), 3 Jenny Davies, 4 Clare Flowers, 5 Shona Powell Hughes, 6 Lisa Newton, 7 Sioned Harries, 8 Jamie Kift
Replacements
16 Lowri Harries, 17 Megan York, 18 Vicky Owens, 19 Sian Williams, 20 Amy Day, 21 Rebecca de Filippo, 22 Aimee Young.
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