Edwards has just returned from a successful campaign in Dubai where Wales claimed the Plate in the International Invitation event when his side defeated Kenya for the second time in two days in the final.
“Every Sevens tournament we’ve been to, we have had an element of success, whether it’s winning the title, the plate or making the finals, so to keep the success ticking over is good,” reflected Edwards.
Edwards was particularly pleased to see the younger members of his squad flourish while illness and injury meant day two the squad was down to just nine fit players but not only did Wales win both their games well, they didn’t concede a single point against Angels and Kenya en route to glory.
“It was good to see some new combinations perform together at this level and respond in the way they did. Watching someone like Kiera Bevan in particular, you would never have considered she was only 17 years of age while another youngster Jasmin Joyce also took her chance well,” said Edwards.
Wales were up against it on day two in Dubai with Elinor Snowsill unavailable to play the crucial fly half role. Adi Taviner showed her versatility by moving into the pivotal position and took to the demands like a duck to water while experienced forward Rachel Taylor earned special praise from Edwards.
“Adi and Tails were outstanding this week. Tails played over 90% of the games, had heatstroke against Angels for the Plate semi but showed loads of guts and character to take part in the final against Kenya and she then went on and had a stormer.
“Adi stepped up to what could have been a challenging proposition but her combination with scrum half Amy Day was excellent. We were also boosted on the finals day as both Laurie [Harries] and Sioned [Harries] had quiet days on day one but were both excellent on day two.”
Edwards believes with the Six Nations just around the corner, the Sevens programme has provided him with some encouraging signs.
“The girls have had some experience of what being a professional rugby player is all about. They now have the motivation of what it is like to play at that level.
“In Dubai, the girls were challenged to perform under fatigue and under pressure and had their backs to the wall on day two but came away with some silverware. The attitude was spot on. We’ve got to make sure we now carry that assertiveness into the Six Nations,” he concluded.
Results: Dubai International Invitation event:
Pool
Wales 24 – 12 Kenya
Wales 07 – 24 Moscow
Wales 43 – 07 Georgia
Wales 05 – 33 Ireland
Plate semi-final
Wales 41 – 0 Angels
Plate final
Wales 29 – 0 Kenya
Wales Women’s Sevens squad in Dubai
Keira Bevan (Skewen /Ospreys)
Rafiuke Taylor (Pontyclun /Blues)
Melissa Clay (Pencoed /Ospreys)
Amy Day (Llandaf/Dragons)
Sioned Harries (Whitland/Scarlet’s)
Laurie Harries (Llandaf/Blues)
Jasmine Joyce (Haverdford West /Cardiff Met/ Scarlets)
Elinor Snowsill (Bristol/Dragons)
Adi Taviner (Skewen/Ospreys)
Rachel Taylor (Bristol/Dragons)
Sian Williams (Worcester/Dragons)
Dyddgu Hywel (Pontyclun/Scarlets)
