WXV 2
FOLLOWING their bottom-place finish in the Six Nations, Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham has galvanaised his squad and on Friday night recorded a historic win over Australia ahead of their WXV2 campaign in South Africa.
Sevens star Jasmine Joyce has returned to the squad after starring at the Olympics for Team GB this summer, and looked dangerous against the Wallaroos.
Cunningham said: “We’ve shown a bit of maturity in our team coming off the Six Nations to get that win. It’s a new season and we are all looking forward to the 2024-25 campaign that will
culminate in the World Cup in England.”
FIXTURES
ROUND 1
Fri Sep 27……………………………………………..South Africa v Japan (3pm)
Sat Sep 28……………………………………………Australia v Wales (11.30am)
Sat Sep 28…………………………………………………….Italy v Scotland (2pm)
ROUND 2
Fri Oct 4…………………………………………………………… Wales v Italy (3pm)
Sat Oct 5………………………………………………….. Japan v Scotland (1pm)
Sat Oct 5…………………………………………..South Africa v Australia (4pm)
ROUND 3
Fri Oct 11……………………………………………………….Wales v Japan (3pm)
Sat Oct 12………………………………………………. South Africa v Italy (1pm)
Sat Oct 12 ……………………………………………. Australia v Scotland (4pm)
WALES SQUAD
FORWARDS: Gwenllian Pyrs, Abbey Constable, Maisie Davies, Carys Phillips, Molly Reardon, Rosie Carr, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble, Abbie Fleming, Natalia John, Georgia Evans, Alaw Pyrs, Alisha Butchers, Bryonie King, Alex Callender, Kate Williams, Beth Lewis
BACKS: Jenny Hesketh, Jasmine Joyce, Courtney Keight, Nel Metcalfe, Hannah Jones (c), Hannah Bluck, Kerin Lake, Carys Cox, Lleucu George, Kayleigh Powell, Keira Bevan, Sian Jones
play looking at its very best. With their back three of Chloe Rollins, Rhona Lloyd and Francesca McGhie running riot, they will be a threat to all sides in this competition if they can maintain their form.
Head coach Bryan Easson has named three uncapped players in the squad, with Fiona McIntosh, Demi Swann
SCOTLAND SQUAD
FORWARDS: Leah Bartlett, Christine Belisle, Sarah Bonar, Elliann Clarke, Lisa Cockburn, Eva Donaldson, Evie Gallagher, Jade Konkel, Rachel Malcolm, Elis Martin, Fiona McIntosh, Rachel McLachlan, Lana Skeldon, Aila Ronald, Alex Stewart, Emma Wassell, Anne Young
BACKS: Leia Brebner-Holden, Coreen Grant, Caity Mattinson, Mairi McDonald, Francesca McGhie, Rhona Lloyd, Helen Nelson, Emma Orr, Rachel Philipps, Lisa Thomson, Chloe Rollie, Lucia Scott, Meryl Smith
Scotland will have title aspirations of their own after recently demolishing Fiji 59-15, with their attacking and Holly McIntyre included.
Evie Wills, Jenny Maxwell, Molly Wright and Shona Campbell have been ruled out due to injury.
Easson said: “I’ve been really encouraged by the work-rate and effort that the squad has shown over our pre-season block, which included a lot of contact conditioning, fitness work and the opportunity to develop the style of rugby that we will be looking to execute throughout WXV.”
South Africa come into the tournament full of confidence after beating the Barbarians last time out and hope to improve on last year’s third-place, while their opening round opponents Japan haven’t won a game since beating Samoa in last year’s competition. Australia will be looking to bounce back from their 36-10 defeat to Ireland in the warm-up games as they take on Wales, while Italy will hope to avenge their 17-10 loss to Scotland in the Six Nations when they meet in round one. “We need to win,” Wales flanker Kate Williams admitted. “We’re a good enough team to win. We’re tight at the minute and have so much more we want to showcase.”
