West Wales will be captained by Kayleigh Powell, the Pencoed Phoenix and Ospreys fly-half who has represented Wales Women Sevens at Rugby Europe U18 level, who said: “It’s a huge honour to be named captain of such a talented group of girls. I have great confidence that we can perform well against a tough East Wales side. I’m really excited to lead this group out onto the field for my last U18 game.”
West Wales head coach Daryl Morgan, whose team are aiming to retain the title again this season, commented: “Kayleigh is an exceptionally talented player and a natural leader. Her attitude in training along with the way she supports and encourages the other members of the squad made the choice of picking her as captain of our squad one of the easier decisions we have made. It’s her final game at this level and it’s just reward for the way she has played and grown over the past three seasons.”
Liliana Podpadec captains East Wales, the Dragons and Winchcombe lock having previously represented a Wales West team at last year’s UK School Games in Loughborough University. “From the regional games it’s clear that West Wales will provide a big challenge,” said Podpadec. “We are under no illusion as to how tough and physical the game will be, but as East Wales, we are coming together as a team and I’m confident we can put in a big performance.”
East Wales head coach Mark Hutton said choosing a captain from this year’s crop of players was a hard task, but that Podpadec’s abilities had shone through. “As coaches we were in the fortunate position of being able to consider three other strong individuals that could have been given the opportunity, but it was Liliana that was given the privilege to captain the team after her demonstration of leading by example in everything she does. She’s given 100% effort, commitment and determination in camp.”
Tickets for the match can be bought on the gate (adults £5, U16s free).
East Wales:
15 Kenzie Tutton (Dragons/Caerphilly)
14 Morganne Tuchli-Davies (Blues/Cardiff Quins)
13 Molly Philpott (Blues/Wattstown) (vice-captain)
12 India Berbillion (Dragons/Cardiff Quins)
11 Kourtney Lewis (Dragons/Senghenydd)
10 Imogen Shide (Dragons/Nelson)
9 Megan Webb (Blues/Cardiff Quins)
1 Isla Lewis (Blues/Treorchy)
2 Emma Preece (Blues/Cardiff Quins)
3 Georgia Marsh (Dragons/Caerphilly)
4 Liliana Podpadec (Dragons/Winscombe) (captain)
5 Chloe Smith (Blues/Cardiff Quins)
6 Britany Bryan (Dragons/Nelson)
7 Manon Johnes (Blues/Cardiff Quins)
8 Niamh Christopher (Blues/Wattstown)
Replacements
16 Shannon Farr (Dragons/Caerphilly)
17 Lauren Evans (Dragons/Nelson)
18 Seren Mogford (Dragons/Caerphilly)
19 Keely Ward (Blues/Treorchy)
20 Davina Moore (Dragons/Caerphilly)
21 Millie Williams (Blues/Wattstown)
22 Claudia Meyrick (Blues/Wattstown)
23 Ffion Revill (Blues/Cardiff Quins)
West Wales:
15 Ellie Harries (Ospreys/Seven Sisters)
14 Sophie Davies (Ospreys/Hendy)
13 Katie Thicker (Scarlets/Whitland)
12 Lauren Smyth (Ospreys/Hendy)
11Caitlin Lewis (Scarlets/Whitland)
10 Kayleigh Powell (Ospreys/Pencoed Phoenix) (captain)
9 Lucy Packer (Scarlets/Cardiff Quins)
1 Hatty Davies (Scarlets/Whitland)
2 Jodie Bates (Ospreys/Hendy)
3 Ruth Lewis (Ospreys/Seven Sisters)
4 Amy Morgan (Scarlets/Whitland)
5 Sara Jones (Ospreys/Hendy)
6 Lleucu George (Scarlets/Whitland)
7 Bethan Lewis (Scarlets/Carmarthen Quins) (vice-captain)
8 Gwen Crabb (Ospreys/Hendy)
Replacements
16 Molly Kelly (RGC/Caernarfon)
17 Caitlin Jones (Ospreys/Pencoed Phoenix)
18 Sarah Lawrence (Scarlets/Haverfordwest)
19 Maisie McKenzie (Scarlets/Ammanford)
20 Melissa Gnojeck (Ospreys/Seven Sisters)
21 Niamh TerryScrum (Ospreys/Hendy)
22 Libby Jones (RGC/Welshpool)
23 Celyn Lazenby (Scarlets/Llandybie)
