The sides will compete for the newly commissioned Rose Crawshay Challenge Trophy in honour of a female ancestor of Captain Geoffrey Crawshay, the founder of Crawshay’s Rugby Club. Rose was one of the UK’s leading suffragists and is listed as one of Wales’ greatest 100 women of all time.
The pair will coach the invitational side, while Taylor will then take over from Burgess as Barbarians’ Women’s forwards coach for the double-header at Principality Stadium the following Saturday (30 November).
Shona Powell-Hughes, Dyddgu Hywel, Meg York, Bethan Dainton, Sian Williams and Jodie Evans are amongst the Wales internationals named so far for the Crawshay’s while 51-times capped Ireland prop Gill Bourke and Canada and Loughborough Lightning hooker Emily Tuttosi are also included along with Richmond and USA Elite Sevens programme lock Hallie Taufoou.
There is a nod to players who have contributed a great deal to club and regional rugby in Wales, such as Kim Jones of Pontyclun Falcons, Wales and Burry Port’s Catrina Bowen, RGC captain and Firwood Waterloo’s Beth Stafford and Swansea’s Rosie Mankee and Lowri Norkett.
Burgess said, “This historic fixture, the first for a female Crawshay’s team, will be a fitting tribute to Rose Crawshay and we are thrilled with the calibre of player we’ve been able to assemble. We are determined to uphold the tradition of Crawshay’s rugby in Wales and provide Wales with a stern test ahead of their appointment with the Barbarians a week later.
“From my point of view as a Gwent girl, I’m over the moon to bring the side to the Dragons region and we are hoping there’ll be a good welcome for both teams in Ebbw Vale.”
More than a hundred female pupils from local secondary schools have been invited to Eugene Cross Park on Thursday 21st November to meet Wales and Crawshay’s players and coaches and to take part in a day of rugby skills and games.
Burgess added, “Hopefully the match and the skills’ day will help to engage a whole host of girls and the wider community in women’s rugby.”
Entry for Wales Women v Crawshay’s has been confirmed as £10 for adults (seating and standing), £7 for Concessions (OAP and students) and free for U16s. Tickets available on the gate, at Ebbw Vale’s home game against Carmarthen on Saturday or by calling Crawshay’s Rugby Club on 07780 696 886.
Pre-match hospitality is also available, more details on www.crawshays.com or by calling Crawshay’s Rugby Club 07780 696 886.
