Welsh Rugby Union | Wales & Regions | Wales U18 Women teams selected for day two Festival action

The young Welsh side lost their opening game of the festival to England 10-0 on day one but finished the day off in style with a 17-7 victory over Scotland to give head coach Catrina Nicholas-McLoughlin plenty of optimism going into the next round of action.

“We are really excited about the prospect of playing France whom we have yet to face. They are a very exciting attacking side and we are looking forward to the physical battle we will face and challenging ourselves against a strong opposition,” she said.

“Italy are a very gritty side who have some physical carriers and are strong in the breakdown. We are looking forward to seeing some open attacking play from ourselves.

“Our target is consistency, we have show glimpses of brilliance and our potential as a squad, our challenge now is to demonstrate consistently what we are capable of. This is a very exciting and physical group of players who are capable of a great performance.”

Wales pushed England all the way to the wire in their opening game but burst into action against Scotland in their second game, opening the scoring inside two minutes.

Erin Jones crashed over after excellent intercept work from Katie Sims before the Scotland defence fought back as Wales reached their try line numerous times, but were twice held up.

Wales eventually went over again in the 12th minute as scrum-half Sian Jones capitalised on Scotland slowly moving the ball away from the back of the scrum.

The ball was then worked through the phases before hooker Abi Meyrick crashed down for her side’s second score of the day as Carys Hughes converted from distance.

Hannah Lane got a well-deserved try with nine minutes remaining as the ball was worked out wide to the winger, who steamed over for Wales’ final try.

Scotland had the last say however, as Freya MacColl broke clear of the Wales defence to sprint under the posts for her side’s first points of the festival.

Wales U18 Women v France U18 (KO 4pm)

15 Rhiannon Griffin 14 Hannah Lane 13 Nia Fajayisan 12 Kelsey Webster 11 Molly-Mae Powell 10 Rachel Thomas-Evans (vice captain) 9 Sian Jones; 1 Chloe Thomas Bradley 2 Molly Wakely 3 Elan Jones 4 Alaw Pyrs 5 Robyn Davies 6 Maisie Davies 7 Catrin Stewart 8 Gwennan Hopkins (captain)

Replacements; 16 Abi Meyrick 17 Niamh Padmore 18 Cadi-Lois Davies 19 Erin Jones 20 Poppy Ellis 21 Katie Bevans 22 Carys Whitfield 23 Madison Isgrove

Wales U18 Women v Italy 18 Women (KO 5pm)

15 Rhiannon Griffin 14 Molly-Mae Powell 13 Bronwen Griffin 12 Carys Hughes 11 Madison Isgrove 10 Carys Whitfield 9 Katie Bevans; 1 Niamh Padmore 2 Chloe Gant 3 Cadi-Lois Davies 4 Milly Summer 5 Erin Jones 6 Catrin Stewart 7 Katie Sims (captain) 8 Poppy Ellis.

Replacements: 16 Aby Meyrick 17 Chloe Thomas-Bradley 18 Elan Jones 19 Robyn Davies 20

Gwennan Hopkins 21 Sian Jones 22 Rachel Thomas – Evans 23 Hannah Lane

The games are live streamed here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcCjeIip6raGJxoYfSH1d06uK5sxWHHlv