All the changes are in the backline with experienced Awen Thomas replacing Elinor Snowsill at fly half while Kerin Lake comes in to the side at wing with Mared Evans moving to outside centre while Adi Taviner drops to the bench.
Forwards coach Liza Burgess is fully aware of the challenge ahead in Bourgoin as she has never won on French soil – either as a coach or a player in a distinguished career.
“I thought the girls played extremely well against Ireland. Our set-piece went well and we dominated the scrums. We were in fact so much in control at the scrum we were being pinged for everything from hitting too early and not binding which I thought was a bit harsh.
“But the win against Ireland should give us plenty of confidence for the France game. If we execute everything to 100 per cent and do the simple things right, I see no reason why we can’t pull off a win. Some of our decision making has been appalling so we have to cut out all the silly little errors to stand a chance.”
Burgess has however been impressed with the progress the young squad has made this season.
“Ashley [Rowlands] and Shona [Powell Hughes] have been brilliant as a unit in the second row. Ash had a great game against Ireland. I think she is finding her feet at this level and what’s great is shesoaks up everything like a sponge.”
Burgess also paid tribute to loosehead prop Jenny Davies who will be earning her 50th cap for Wales.
“It’s a fantastic achievement for any player to get 50 caps but Jenny is on top form at the moment, she’s on fire and holds a lot of respect within the squad. She’s a real grafter and hasn’t looked back this campaign after coming on as a replacement in the first game against England.”
Wales Women v France, Stade Pierre Rajon, Saturday 19 March
15 Aimee Young – Bath Ladies
14 Kerin Lake – Neath Athletic
13 Mared Evans – UWIC
12 Elen Evans – Dolgellau
11 Caryl James – Cardiff Quins
10 Awen Thomas – Cross Keys
9 Amy Day – Cross Keys
1 Jenny Davies – Waterloo
2 Rhian Bowden – Cross Keys
3 Catrin Edwards – Cardiff Quins (capt)
4 Ashley Rowlands – Wasps
5 Shona Powell Hughes – Neath Athletic
6 Lisa Newton – UWIC
8 Jamie Kift – Cross Keys
7 Sioned Harries – UWIC
Replacements
16 Lowri Harries – Neath Athletic
17 Caryl Thomas – Bath Ladies
18 Vicky Owens – UWIC
19 Rachel Taylor – Cardiff Quins
20 Laura Prosser – Pontyclun
21 Elinor Snowsill – Cardiff Quins
22 Adi Taviner – Neath Athletic
