Alex Callender will captain a Thunder side with a mix of Welsh internationals and young talent looking for a victory ahead of the play-offs in the new tournament, featuring teams from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Thunder have made changes to the side that faced top of the table Wolfhounds, due to injury and policy of exposing new players to the experience of playing cross-border rugby.
Welsh international fly half Niamh Terry has been ruled out due to injury and is replaced by Mollie Wilkinson. She forms a new half-back combination with Seren Singleton. Wales centre Meg Webb is vice-captain and partners Ellie Tromans in the midfield.
Wales lock Natalia John is in the engine room with Charlie Mundy against a Glasgow side still looking for a first victory in the tournament. Shona Wakley is selected at Number 8.
Brython Thunder head coach, Ashley Beck said: “Everybody is aware that North Wales is a hotbed of rugby talent and the opportunity to play there will allow us to inspire the next generation of talent in Wales.
“We know where we stand in the tournament, and we have learnt so much about ourselves and the experience of this campaign will stand us in good stead. The Celtic Challenge is a demanding competition, but we have exposed so many young players to a new standard of rugby and we will be a better team for it.”
Brython Thunder squad (v Glasgow)
Lauren Smyth, Eleanor Hing, Ellie Tromans, Meg Webb (VC), Amy Williams, Mollie Wilkinson, Seren Singleton; Chloe Thomas-Bradley, Rosie Carr, Katie Carr, Natalia John, Charlie Mundy, Katie Mackay, Alex Callender (captain), Shona Wakley
Replacements: Amy Morgan, Madison Johns, Claudia Harrison, Milly Summer, Katy Hudd, Meg Davies, Savanna Picton-Powell, Danai Mugabe
Gwalia Lightning travel to face Celtic Challenge leaders, Wolfhounds, in the final game of the regular season of the expanded cross-border tournament at Energia Park, Dublin, on Saturday, February 3rd, (KO: 2:30pm).
The Welsh side need a big win to qualify as one of the top three sides and a place in the major play-offs. The unbeaten Wolfhounds side qualified for the major-play-offs in Round 4.
Captain Bryonie King will lead a Lightning side looking to bounce back after a last-ditch defeat to Edinburgh in the Welsh capital.
Lightning welcome back Wales U20s Number 8 Gwennan Hopkins, who has impressed in the new tournament between sides from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Wing Katie Thicker is in the starting line-up after coming off the bench last time out when she scored a superb 60m solo try against Edinburgh at Cardiff Arms Park last weekend.
Scrum half Sian Jones, who crossed for two tries against the Scots, partners Wales fly-half Robyn Wilkins at half-back. Wales U20s captain Jenna De Vera forms an exciting midfield partnership with Kelsie Webster in the centres.
Cat Nicholas-McLaughlin, Gwalia Lightning Head coach, said: “We are under no illusions of the challenge ahead of us against Wolfhounds, the only unbeaten side in the competition. They are physical outfit and will be full of confidence having already qualified for the major play-offs.
“Against Edinburgh, with some players missing, we demonstrated that we can compete, create opportunities and score tries. We know what we need to perform in the final game of the regular season.”
Gwalia Lightning squad (v Wolfhounds)
Rhodd Parry, Katie Thicker, Kelsie Webster, Jenna De Vera, Caitlin Lewis, Robyn Wilkins, Sian Jones; Abbey Constable, Molly Reardon, Jenni Scoble, Paige Jones, Bryonie King (captain), Katie Jenkins, Lucy Isaac, Gwennan Hopkins
Replacements: Sophie Waugh, Lowri Williams, Danielle Dinapoli, Alaw Pyrs, Maisie Davies, Kierra Deeks, Rebecca De Filippo, Kate Davies
ENDS
