Wales women begin their international season, with a clash against Italy at Glamorgan Wanderers RFC this Saturday 18th November (kick off 1700hrs). The fixture is being played as a warm up to the 2007 Six Nations and looks set to kick off an exciting International Season.
Head Coach Fielies Coetsee has made a number of changes from their victory against Canada back in May with changes to the squad for the new season.
Hannah Torangi, who has come up through Wales under 19s and is currently a member of the Women’s National Academy, starts in the second row to gain her first cap for Wales. Fellow academy member Amy Day starts at scrum half, with Captain Mellissa Berry moving back to her more familiar position of open-side flanker. Rachel Poolman moves in from the wing to make her first start at outside centre for Wales.
On the bench Vikki Gaylard, Gemma Hallett, Sarah Simpkin and Caryl Thomas are all uncapped and eager to make their debuts for Wales.
Fielies Coetsee commented, “We are using this game as an important part of our Six Nations preparation. Trying new combinations of players is a significant part of this and it is good to see a number of younger players stepping up to the mark. We are also looking to implement a new game plan to play to our strengths more.”
Joyce Henry travels from her homeland of Canada to officiate this fixture. Joyce is one of the top women’s referees in world rugby who recently refereed at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Canada.
On this appointment, IRB manager of referees, Paddy O’Brien commented, “This is part of a positive move to help increase the number of women’s referees in world rugby. A criticism at the last Women’s Rugby World Cup was the lack of opportunity for female referees to officiate high level internationals in between World Cups. I applaud the Welsh Women’s Rugby Union for giving Joyce this opportunity.”
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Wales Team
15. Elen Evans Dolgellau RFC 20 Caps
14. Louise Rickard Saracens RFC 87 Caps
13. Rachel Poolman UWIC RFC7 Caps
12. Claire Flowers Clifton RFC 42 Caps
11. Rhian Williams Wasps RFC 55 Caps
10. Naomi Thomas Clifton RFC 22 Caps
9. Amy Day UWIC RFC 6 Caps
1. Amy Broadstock Llandaff North RFC 23 Caps
2. Rhian Bowden UWIC RFC 3 Caps
3. Louise Horgan Saracens RFC 17 Caps
4. Liza Burgess Clifton RFC 80 Caps
5. Hannah Torangi UWIC RFC 0 Caps
6. Jamie Kift Clifton RFC 51 Caps
7. Mellissa Berry (c) Worcester RFC 53 Caps
8. Kylie Wilson Clifton RFC 46 Caps
Replacements
16. Caryl Thomas Cardiff Quins RFC 0 Caps
17. Sarah Simpkin Ruthin RFC 0 Caps
18. Gemma Hallett Pontyclun RFC 0 Caps
19. Catrina Nicholas Cardiff Quins RFC 16 Caps
20. Vikki Gaylard Llandaff North RFC 0 Caps
21. Becky Davies Cardiff Quins RFC 1 Caps
22. Philippa Tuttiett UWIC RFC 3 Caps
Italy Team
15. Sara Barrattin
14. Elisa Facchini
13. Silvia Pizzati
12. Silvia Peron
11. Sara Trilli
10. Paola Zangirolami
9. Valentina Schiavon
8. Flavia Severin
7. Giovanna Bado
6. Silvia Gaudino
5. Sara Pettinelli
4. Daniela Gini
3. Mariacristina Sanfilippo
2. Licia Stefan
1. Elisa Cucchiella
Replacements
16. Sara Zanon
17. Natalie Wagstaff
18. Paola Agostinelli
19. Cecilia Ridolfi
20. Gimena Panichelli
21. Michela Tondinelli
22. Furlan Manuela
For more information please contact Jilly Holroyd, Welsh Women’s Rugby Union on jholroyd@wru.co.uk or 02920 822441.
