Lightning beat Thunder 42-22 in the first of the Celtic Challenge Welsh derbies in a 10-try thriller at Ystrad Mynach last Saturday, to kick-off the new expanded home and away competition between teams from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Welsh rugby supporters will get the chance to see the Welsh derby FREE at the home of the Scarlets. More than 500 supporters took advantage of the free entry to last weekend’s clash between the sides.
Brython Thunder won their home fixture last season and ended the Celtic Challenge league campaign with a 30-5 victory over their Welsh rivals at Parc y Scarlets.
Brython will be captained by Welsh international Natalia John and she is partnered by Gwen Crabb in an all-Wales second row.
There are three changes to the Thunder starting line-up, with Hannah Lane starting at full-back and Evie Hill at hooker alongside prop Lowri Williams.
Welsh international Bryonie King is named as captain for a Gwalia Lightning side with one change to the starting line-up with try-scorer Caitlin Lewis selected on the wing ahead of Carys Williams-Morris.
Ashley Beck, Head coach of Brython Thunder, said: “For a Brython Thunder side with so many new faces, we showed what we can do as a team in the first Welsh derby. We started and finished the game well but we know we need an 80-minute performance at home this Saturday.
Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin, Gwalia Lightning Head coach, said: “We were satisfied with the performance and the win at home but this is another game and we know Brython will be a different proposition at home.”
Brython Thunder: Hannah Lane, Ellie Tromans, Meg Webb, Savannah Picton-Powell, Eleanor Hing, Niamh Terry, Seren Singleton; Katie Carr, Evie Gill, Lowri Williams, Gwen Crabb, Natalia John (captain), Robyn Davies, Lucy Issac, Jessica Rogers
Replacements: Poppy Hughes, Chloe Thomas-Bradley, Meg Lewis, Danai Mugabe, Anna Stowell, Ffion Lewis, Hanna Marshall, Hannah Bluck
Gwalia Lightning: Courtney Greenway, Caitlin Lewis, Kelsie Webster, Molly Anderson-Thomas, Catherine Richards, Carys Hughes, Sian Jones; Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Danyelle Dinapoli, Lily Terry, Alaw Pyrs, Bryonie King (capt), Paige Jones, Gwennan Hopkins
Replacements: Molly Mae Crabb, Cana Williams, Jenni Scoble, Erin Jones, Katherine Baverstock, Seren Lockwood, Nia Fajeyisan, Lowri Davies
