Six of the squad were involved in the summer’s Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland, while Beth Lewis steps up from the U18 side, which she captained during an impressive campaign last season.
“Beth has been fantastic since the regional programme started back up, and she had a great summer leading the U18s,” said head coach Nick Wakley. “The girls coming in off the back of the World Cup have been itching to get back out on the pitch too.”
Alisha Butchers and Charlie Murray both return to the set-up after missing the whole of the previous sevens campaign through injury.
Wakley says he is out to up the intensity of the programme this season, with tournaments in Australia, Hong Kong and a World Rugby Sevens Series qualifier part of a six-month cycle leading to the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.
The players will now have the added benefit of being fitted with new GPS devices, which Wakley is particularly pleased with. “They are a huge advantage to our understanding of what the athletes are putting themselves through in training and tournaments. The WRU has also been supporting us with our use of facilities too, which is a boost.”
Wakley is also buoyed by the gradual return to fitness of a number of other players not included this weekend, including the likes of Gemma Rowland, Beth Dainton and Laurie Harries.
Although it poses some challenges, he says the women’s programme is now in a good position to dovetail the schedules of players who combine sevens and fifteens. Wakley refers to a ‘One Elite Programme’ philosophy: “They’re just keen to represent their country and get out there to stake a claim for those tournaments that could define this programme.”
Wales will compete in a six-team pool featuring hosts Spain, England, Ireland, Belgium and Spanish club Rugby Comunidad Valenciana.
Wales Women Sevens squad, Elche:
Alisha Butchers
Beth Lewis
Charlie Murray
Elinor Snowsill
Ffion Lewis
Hannah Jones
Jasmine Joyce
Keira Bevan
Philippa Tuttiett
Shona Powell-Hughes
Sian Williams
Sinead Breeze
