WXV -Wales v Canada

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** WXV-Wales v Canada 4am Saturday live on S4C Clic and Rugby Pass

Head coach Ioan Cunningham has named the Wales Women’s senior side to make history and open the inaugural WXV1 campaign against Canada at Sky Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday, October 21st. (KO: 4pm local time).

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Hannah Jones will captain the side and will win her 50th cap for her country against Canada. She was called into the Wales senior squad at the age of 15 and made her full Test debut at 16 in the 39-3 win against Scotland back in 2015.

Centre Jones, 26, will link up with Kerin Lake, who also played against Scotland eight years ago, in an experienced and formidable Welsh midfield in the opening game of WXV1.

Cunningham has selected the same starting line-up that recorded a first win over the USA in September.

The experienced Carys Williams-Morris comes onto the bench against a Canada side ranked number four in the world and are two places above Wales in the world rankings.

Wales came into the WXV1 with a resounding 38-18 victory over the USA at the Stadiwm CSM in Colwyn Bay before they headed out to New Zealand.

Cunningham, said: “We have rewarded the starting line-up that performed so well and produced a historic first victory over the USA in Colwyn Bay back in September.

“Carys Williams-Morris comes into squad and will bring her experience and we are confident she will have a major impact off the bench. We are excited for the opening game of the WXV1 and are raring to go and to see where we are against one of the best sides in the world.

“Canada ran England close in a recent Test match and we know they are physical side, but we have worked hard during our preparation for this tournament and are looking forward to the challenge at the ‘Cake Tin’ on Saturday.

“Hannah Jones will captain the side and win her 50th cap for her country and we all know this is a special occasion for her, her family and for all the squad. She made her Wales debut as a 16-year-old and her leadership qualities, on and off the field, is why she is so respected throughout the game.”

Wales Women vs Canada, Sky Stadium, Wellington, Saturday, October 21st. (KO: 4pm local time)

  1. Jasmine Joyce
  2. Lisa Neumann
  3. Hannah Jones (captain)
  4. Kerin Lake.
  5. Carys Cox
  6. Robyn Wilkins
  7. Keira Bevan;
  8. Gwenllian Pyrs
  9. Carys Phillips
  10. Sisilia Tuipulotu
  11. Abbie Fleming
  12. Georgia Evans
  13. Alisha Butchers
  14. Alex Callender
  15. Bethan Lewis (VC)

Replacements: 16. Kelsey Jones
17. Abbey Constable
18. Donna Rose
19. Kate Williams
20. Sioned Harries
21. Meg Davies
22. Lleucu George
23. Carys Williams-Morris

Wales WXV Fixtures
Canada v Wales, Saturday, October 21st, Sky Stadium, Wellington (KO: 4pm local time)
New Zealand v Wales, Saturday, 28th, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (KO: 4pm local time 4am UK
Australia v Wales, Friday, November 3rd, Go Media Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland (KO: 7pm local time/7am UK
By Simon Roberts**

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Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham, has named the Wales Women’s senior side to face New Zealand in the second Test match of the inaugural WXV1 campaign at the Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, on Saturday, October 28th. (KO: 4pm local time).

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Centre Hannah Jones will captain a Wales side with seven changes to the starting line-up and one positional switch from the team that faced Canada in the WXV1 opener in Wellington.

Full back Nel Metcalfe, 18, makes her first start for her country against the reigning world champions after making her Wales debut off the bench in the historic 38-18 win over the USA in Colwyn Bay.

Metcalfe played at full back for Wales U20s in the 39-12 victory over Canada in Ottawa in July.

Hooker Kelsey Jones, who won the Prem15s title with Gloucester-Hartpury, returns at hooker with Donna Rose selected at prop and in the starting line-up for the first time since facing New Zealand in the last World Cup.

The experienced Sioned Harries comes in at No 8 and wins her 77th cap for her country in a backrow which sees Alisha Butchers made vice-captain. Lleucu George is fly-half in a new-look midfield, with Hannah Bluck named at inside centre.

Carys Williams-Morris is named on the wing with double Olympian, Jasmine Joyce, switched to wing with Metcalfe at full back.

Ioan Cunningham, Wales Head coach, said: “We brought a squad of 30 players and the intention was to give as many players as we can the experience of playing against the best teams in the world in WXV1.

“We are excited to see this team face the challenge of playing the world champions in their own back yard. It will be a major challenge but it’s why we are here, and we want to test ourselves against the best.

“We are here to perform but we also need to build the depth of the squad and training has revealed a real competition for places and that will be key as we build to the next World Cup in England in 2025.

“Nel has impressed everyone since she has been with us and fully deserves this opportunity to show what she can do. It has been a remarkable journey for her since she played for Wales U20s, three months ago, in Canada.

“Kelsey and Donna are back and given an opportunity and Sioned will bring her vast experience at Test level to the side. Lleucu and Hannah Bluck have impressed and deserve their opportunity to start, while Jaz and Carys offer us a threat out wide.

“We know we have to tighten up on keeping the ball after the performance against Canada and as we showed in Wellington when we do that we can score tries and be competitive against any side.”

Wales team to face New Zealand
15. Nel Metcalfe
14. Jasmine Joyce
13. Hannah Jones (Capt)
12. Hannah Bluck
11. Carys Williams-Morris
10. Lleucu George
9. Keira Bevan

  1. Gwenllian Pyrs
  2. Kelsey Jones
  3. Donna Rose
  4. Abbie Fleming
  5. Kate Williams
  6. Alisha Butchers (VC)
  7. Alex Callender
  8. Sioned Harries

Replacements:
16. Kat Evans
17. Abbey Constable
18. Sisilia Tuipulotu
19. Bryonie King
20. Bethan Lewis
21. Meg Davies
22. Robyn Wilkins
23. Meg Webb

Wales WXV Fixtures.
· New Zealand v Wales, Saturday, 28th, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (KO: 4pm local time)
· Australia v Wales, Friday, November 3rd, Go Media Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland (KO: 7pm local time
Live on S4C YouTube/Clic and RugbyPassTv.

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