KYLIE CONTINUES AS WELSH CAPTAIN

Having just named Canada as the venue for the 2006 Women’s Rugby World Cup finals, the IRB have also stipulated that only three of the six teams in the Six Nations Championship, apart from England and France, will be granted automatic qualification for the 2006 tournament.

That means Wales will have to battle it out with Scotland, Ireland and Spain for the three places in a 2005 Six Nations championship that sees them host England and Ireland at Cardiff Arms Park and have to travel to Scotland, France and Spain.

The 29-year-old Wilson, and who plays her club rugby in England at Waterloo, has already won 40 Welsh caps, but will get the chance to lead Wales for the first time in the Women’s Six Nations Championship.

She led Wales on their ground breaking tour to South Africa during the summer, when Wales won both Tests, and takes over from Mel Berry, who skippered Wales in last season’s Six Nations. Berry is currently studying in New Zealand and working for the Auckland Blues.

Wales coach Phil John’s 33 strong squad will kick-off their representative campaign against a Premiership All Stars XV at Glamorgan University on Saturday (kick-off 5.00pm) – a side that is due to include legendary Welsh forward Liza Burgess.

“The season will be a vital step in the development plan looking towards the 2006 World Cup.  With the new qualifying process in place, it is important that we perform to the peak of our ability,” said John.

The game at the weekend will be the new squad’s first fixture in a busy season with the team playing England XV on 8 December. The Six Nations championship follows before Wales entertain the Springboks in April.

Wales’ two-Test series win in South Africa last summer made them the first Welsh team to win a series against the ‘Boks at any level and they will meet them again in April.

The 33-strong squad has been chosen after six rounds of the Welsh Super League and newcomers include Fishguard’s No 8 Sam Mason and prop Natalie Bowen, Cardiff Quins wing Marie Anslow and Richmond outside half Laura Prosser.

In addition, South African tourists Rhian Bowden and Philippa Tuttiet graduate into the senior squad from the Under 19 and Development Squads.

As well as a number of new players, there is also a wealth of experience for John to call on. Centre Louise Rickard is on course to challenge Scotland ‘s Donna Kennedy for the right to be the most capped women’s player in the world having hoisted her tally to 75 in the summer, while full back Non Evans has 50 to her name.

Rickard took over from Liza Burgess as Wales’ most-capped international last season – Burgess retired with 72 caps – and is hot on the heels of Kennedy’s world record of 79.

WELSH WOMEN’S SQUAD

Backs
Kerry Jenkins (Clifton / East); Catherine Walkley (Aberystwyth / West); Anwen Thomas (Cardiff Quins / West); Stacey Saunders (Tylorstown / East); Laura Prosser (Richmond / North); Manon Williams (Caernarfon / North); Marie Anslow (Cardiff Quins / West); Hayley Baxter (UWIC / East); Philippa Tuttiet (Llandaff North / East); Rhian Williams (Wasps / East); Louise Rickard (Saracens / East); Lowri Jones (Bala / North); Elen Evans (Dolgellau / North); Lucy Berry (Fishguard / West); Non Evans (Clifton / Central); Hannah Szigetvari (Cardiff Quins / Central)

Forwards
Amy Broadstock (Llandaff North/Central); Catrin Edwards (Cardiff Quins / East); Louise Horgan (Saracens / East); Claire Horgan (Waterloo / North); Natalie Bowen (Fishguard / West); Jenny Davies (Caernarfon / North); Nicola John (Cardiff Quins / East); Sophie Williams (Richmond / Central); Claire Donovan (Saracens / East); Rachel Brown (Waterloo / North); Rebecca Dando (Cardiff Quins / Central); Ayla Rose (Llandaff North / East); Kylie Wilson (Waterloo / North); Catrina Nicholas (Worcester / East); Eirlys Lougher (UWIC / West); Rhian Bowden (UWIC / Central); Emma Phillips (Llandaff North / Central); Samantha Mason (Fishguard / West)

WELSH WOMEN’S TEAM INTERNATIONAL FIXTURES 2004-05
Saturday, 27 November
Wales XV v Premiership All Stars (Glamorgan University) 5.00 pm             

Wednesday, 8 December
England XV v Wales XV (Clifton) 7.00 pm                                   

Wednesday, 19 January
Wales U19 v UWIC (UWIC)                                                                   

Saturday, 22 January
Scotland U23 v Wales Students (TBC)                                                           

Friday, 4 February
Wales v England (Cardiff Arms Park) 7.15 pm                                                         

Saturday, 12 February
Spain v Wales (Ourense) 4.00 pm                                               

19-26 February
Wales U19 Tour to Canada                              

Friday, 25 February
France v Wales (Bondoufle) 4.00 pm                                                              

Sunday, 27 February
England U19 v Wales U19 (TBC)                              

Sunday, 13 March
Scotland v Wales (Murrayfield) 5.00 pm
England Students v Wales Development (TBC)                                             

Wednesday, 16 March
Wales Development v British Army (Llanrumney) 7.00 pm                                     

Friday, 18 March
Wales v Ireland (Cardiff Arms Park) 7.15 pm                              

Sunday, 20 March
Wales Development v England Academy (TBC)
Wales U19 v England U19 (TBC)
Wales Students v England Students (TBC)                                 

Tuesday, 26 April
Wales Development v South Africa (TBC)                                            

Saturday, 30 April
Wales v South Africa (TBC)