Wales go into the match on the back of a narrow 10-7 defeat to USA at Cross Keys two weeks ago, but Edwards isn’t pushing the panic button just yet with the World Cup opener against France rapidly approaching on August 1st.
“It wasn’t until looking at the game afterwards we realised how well we did against a very good USA side,” said Edwards. “They are one of the top sides in the world at this level and we were competitive against them for most of the game.
“You always learn lessons from every game and we go into the game against Ireland fully aware that when opportunities arise, you have to take them. We scored once from seven clear cut chances while USA scored once from two clear cut chances. The message is clear – you have to take your chances when they come along at this level.”
Edwards has made just one change to the backline which lost narrowly to USA, with Robyn Wilkins getting a chance at fly half with Elinor Snowsill slipping down to the bench.
In the forwards Carys Phillips gets a rare chance to start at hooker with Lowri Harries starting the game from the bench. Megan York gets the nod at prop in front of Catrin Edwards while flanker Sian Williams will be hoping her injury woes are firmly behind her when she starts on the blindside of the scrum in place of Catrina Nicholas.
“We’ve kept changes to a minimum as we want another look at the combinations.
“Saying that, all the players coming in have genuine opportunities to put their hand up as we look ahead to the first game in the Women’s World Cup.
“Robyn spent the Six Nations at inside centre so the game against Ireland offers us a chance to see how she goes at fly half while Sian and Carys get a chance to start a game to show us what they have to offer from the outset. We’re looking for another positive team performance and if we replicate what we did against Ireland, I see no reason why we can’t put a cat among the pigeons on Sunday where Ireland will begin as firm favourites,” added Edwards.
Wales Women v Ireland
15 Laurie Harries (Llandaff North)
14 Adi Taviner (Neath Athletic)
13 Elen Evans (Waterloo)
12 Rebecca de Filippo (Bristol Ladies)
11 Dyddgu Hywel (Bristol Ladies)
10 Robyn Wilkins (Llandaff North)
9 Sian Moore (Bristol Ladies):
1 Caryl Thomas (Bath Ladies)
2 Carys Phillips (Bristol Ladies)
3 Megan York (Blaenau Gwent)
4 Rachel Taylor (Captain – Bristol Ladies)
5 Shona Powell Hughes (Neath Athletic)
6 Sian Williams (Worcester)
7 Nia Davies (Bristol Ladies)
8 Sioned Harries (Bristol Ladies)
Substitutes
16 Lowri Harries (Neath Athletic)
17 Jenny Davies (Waterloo)
18 Catrin Edwards (Bristol Ladies)
19 Jenny Hawkins (Llandaff North)
20 Catrina Nicholas (Llandaff North)
21 Amy Day (Llandaff North)
22 Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Ladies)
23 Philippa Tuttiett (Bristol Ladies)
