Wales Women’s head coach Rhys Edwards has called up six new faces to his squad for the 2014 RBS 6 Nations, insisting they will all prove their worth and benefit from the experience of competing at the top level.
Three victories and two defeats earned Wales a fourth-place finish in the 2013 RBS 6 Nations and they will be looking to make a statement in their first game of next year’s competition against Italy in Port Talbot.
Blues second row Jade Newman is the only addition among the forwards while Edwards has handed a number of young stars their chance to shine in the form of 17-year-olds Hannah Jones and Eli Norkett and 18-year-old Robyn Wilkins.
Also looking to make an impact are Ffion Bowen and Laurie Harries while Scarlets full-back Mared Evans makes a welcome return from injury.
And with one eye also on the Women’s Rugby World Cup in August next year, Edwards insists there is no better opportunity to give youth a chance than in the RBS 6 Nations.
“We’ve chosen the squad on form at both club and regional level,” said Edwards. “It might be considered that we are gambling with two or three of them but all those who have been selected are picked on merit because of their form, attitude and commitment. “It’s all about giving some of the promising players experience at the top level. As an example Robyn [Wilkins] is the most promising player in her age group and she can play at either 10 or 12 so that gives us extra options.
“We want to put her in a big game environment during the Six Nations as we also look ahead to the World Cup as well. “We didn’t even know Ffion Bowen three weeks ago but she has proved in a relatively short space of time she can finish – and finish well on the wing.
“She is a young and exciting prospect and a player we hope to nurture through the Six Nations.”
Wales Women’s Six Nations Squad 2014 Forwards Megan York (Blaenau/Gwent Dragons) Caryl Thomas (Bath Ladies/Dragons) Catrin Edwards (Bristol Ladies/Scarlets) Jenny Davies (Waterloo/Blues) Lowri Harries (Neath Athletic/Scarlets) Carys Phillips (Neath Athletic/Ospreys) Nia Davies (Cardiff Met/Blues) *Jade Newman (Llandaff North/Blues) Catrina Nicholas (Llandaff North/Blues) Sian Williams (Worcester/Dragons) Sioned Harries (Llandaff North/Scarlets) Rachel Taylor (Bristol Ladies/Dragons) Shona Powell-Hughes (Neath Athletic/Ospreys) Backs Sian Moore (Bristol Ladies/Ospreys) Amy Day (Llandaff North/Dragons) Laura Prosser (Pontyclun/Blues) Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Ladies/Dragons) *Hannah Jones (Neath Athletic/Ospreys) *Robyn Wilkins (Llandaff North/Blues) Rebecca de Fillippo (Bristol Ladies/Dragons) Elen Evans (Waterloo/Scarlets) Philippa Tuttiett (Llandaff North/Blues) *Elli Norkett (Neath Athletic/Ospreys) *Ffion Bowen (Maesteg Celtic/Ospreys) *Laurie Harries (Llandaff North/Blues) Dyddgu Hywel (Bristol Ladies/Scarlets) Mared Evans (Llandaff North/Scarlets)
*Uncapped
