Captain by Philippa Tuttiett, the team is also bolstered by a selection of first-choice players from Wales’ recent Women’s Six Nations campaign, including Sioned Harries and Elinor Snowsill (who can boast almost 100 caps between them).Â
“lt’s been a great few days since we got to Hong Kong,” said head coach Nick Wakley, who is once again part of a coaching duo with fellow former Wales Sevens player Jonathan Hooper. “It’s very hot out here but we’ve completed our acclimatising sessions and are now just looking forward to getting down to business.”
Tomorrow, Wales will meet Poland (05:20 BST), Argentina (07:54) and Belgium (10:28) in their World Series Qualifier. “The first round is going to throw up some results and this is going to be a fiercely contested tournament,” Wakley said. “However, it’s winner takes all, and as good as we have to be on day one to qualify, we know it’s day two that counts.”
Watch the live stream from the qualifiers on the Hong Kong Sevens Facebook page.Â
At the conclusion of the tournament in Hong Kong, the squad will fly to the Gold Coast to join Team Wales for the Commonwealth Games – where women’s sevens will feature for the first time – making it an unprecedented month for Wales Women.Â
Wakley commented: “It is a real credit to all of the players’ commitment and dedication that they find themselves in these huge global tournaments which could go a long way towards sculpting the environment for the next generation of Welsh women rugby players.”Â
Wales Women Sevens:Â Beth Lewis; Elinor Snowsill; Gemma Rowland; Hannah Jones; Jasmine Joyce; Kayleigh Powell; Laurie Harries; Philippa Tuttiett (c); Shona Powell-Hughes; Sian Williams; Sinead Breeze; Sioned Harries.
Travelling Reserves:Â Alisha Butchers, Lucy Packer.
