Experienced trio Catrin Edwards, Gemma Hallett and Catrina Nicholas all return to the team after missing last year’s Six Nations championship. Between them they possess 116 caps which will bring a wealth of experience to the line-up.
No 8 Rachel Taylor will lead the side in her second campaign as skipper.
Seven uncapped players were earlier named in Wales’ Six Nations squad but Edwards has resisted the temptation to throw his untried players in to the lion’s den – although five have sufficiently impressed him to make the bench.
Front rows Carys Phillips and Bethan Howell will join back row Nia Davies on the bench while full back Dyddgu Hywel and wing Rafiuke Taylor also make the replacements.
“I’m happy with the team selection because if you look at the squad from one to 15, all the players have got some international experience behind them,” said Edwards.
“It’s great that we have Catrin, Gemma and Catrina back in the frame as they bring a vast amount of experience to the team. But even some of the younger players like Rosie Fletcher, who was one of the few positives to come out of last season, has got five caps to her name as has Rebecca de Filippo who is still only 18 years old,” he added.
“With just one season of international rugby behind them, they have become established players in the side while the uncapped players who have made the bench are all there on merit and form.
“Ireland are getting better and better all the time and have an established line-up but going into the match we are very confident. We’ve definitely got the players and the right game-plan, we just have to make sure we perform on the day.”
Wales Women v Ireland Women
Aberavon, Sunday 3rd February KO 1.30pm
Wales Women
15 Rosie Fletcher (Neath Athletic)
14 Caryl James (cardiff Quins)
13 Elen Evans (Waterloo)
12 Rebecca de Filippo (Cardiff Quins)
11 Philippa Tuttiet (Cardiff Quins)
10 Elinor Snowsill (Bristol)
9 Amy Day (Unattached)
1 Megan York (Blaenau Gwent)
2 Lowri Harries (Neath Athletic)
3 Catrin Edwards (Cardiff Quins)
4 Gemma Hallett (Pontyclun)
5 Shona Powell Hughes (Neath Athletic)
6 Catrina Nicholas (Cardiff Quins)
7 Sioned Harries (Cardiff Quins)
8 Rachel Taylor (Bristol – Captain)
Substitutes
16 Carys Phillips (Cardiff Met)
17 Bethan Howell(Seven Sisters)
18 Jenny Davies (Waterloo)
19 Nia Davies (Cardiff Met)
20 Vicky Owens (Pontyclun)
21 Laura Prosser (Pontyclun)
22 Dyddgu Hywel (Caernarfon)
23 Rafiuke Taylor (Sea View)
