Having seen their hopes of challenging for the Celtic Challenge title go up in smoke with a 48-17 home defeat to the champions elect the Wolfhounds last weekend, Gwalia Lightning face another tough Irish test against the second placed Clovers in the final round.
It has been another solid campaign from Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin squad and their clash with the Clovers at Ystrad Mynach on Saturday 8 March (12 noon kick-off) will be a last chance to take an Irish scalp this season.
They were beaten 29-7 in Round 3 when the two sides met on the other side of the Irish Sea, where they also lost 21-15 to the Wolfhounds in a terrific battle in Round 7.
“We’ve had some good battles already with the powerful Irish sides and I know the players will be relishing the chance to end their campaign against a top quality outfit. It will be a chance to lay a marker down for next season as much as anything,” said Nicholas-McLaughlin.
“The game will give us a chance to measure our progress and will also provide our Wales Six Nations Squad members with a final chance to show Sean Lynn what they can do against quality opposition.
“We want to put on a good show and I know all the players are highly motivated. We can’t finish any higher or lower than third, just like last season, but we can go out with a bang.”
Gwalia skipper Bryonie King will be one of the players hoping to end on a high before going into Wales camp. The No 8 will be joined by teammates Gwennan Hopkins, Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Jenni Scoble, Alaw Pyrs, Lily Terry, Sian Jones, Kerin Lake, Meg Davies, Cath Richards and Jenny Hesketh in reporting for national duty.
The Clovers dished out some big beatings to Brython Thunder, winning 58-0 at home and a tournament high 94-7 away. With only two points between the two Irish teams at the top of the table, the Clovers will be going all out for a bonus-point win to put pressure on the Wolfhounds.
“We know they will be coming out all guns blazing in this game and that is only going to heighten the passion and desire for both teams. They want the title, we want the win,” added Nicholas-McLaughlin.
Team GB Sevens player Cath Richards returns to 15-a-side action after playing in the Perth and Vancouver tournaments to start at full back in one of three changes behind the scrum. Carys Williams-Morris takes over on the right wing and Anwen Owens comes in a centre.
In the pack, Molly Reardon and Jenni Scoble come into a new look front row, Lily Terry moves up into the second row and Gwennan takes over from her in the back row.
Gwalia Lightning: Cath Richards; Carys Williams-Morris, Kelsie Webster, Anwen Owens, Caitlin Lewis; Carys Hughes, Sian Jones; Maisie Davies, Molly Reardon, Jenni Scoble, Lily Terry, Alaw Pyrs, Gwennan Hopkins, Catrin Stewart, Bryonie King (captain)
Reps: Molly Wakely, Dali Hopkins, Abbey Constable, Erin Jones, Paige Jones, Katie Bevans, Freya Bell, Rhodd Parry