Marcus Leach’s View Point: Week 4

Wales Women’s Coach Fielies Coetsee has kept changes to a minimum for the trip to Rome this weekend where Wales will clash with the winless Italians. Having lost to France in Round Three Coetsee has shown faith with the majority of the squad, although he has altered the back line, with one positional and one personnel change, and been forced into a change in the forwards due to injury.

Non Evans comes in on the left wing, replacing Rhian Williams who drops to the bench. This means there is no place for Hayley Baxter, who has been on the bench for the last three games without making an appearance. Evans completes her come back from injury with a first start for Wales in over a year, having appeared as a replacement in the defeat to France.

The other changes sees fly half Naomi Thomas and outside centre Rachel Poolman switch positions, as Coetsee looks to give Poolman experience in a position she plays occasionally for her club, UWIC.

“Rachel is the second choice ten and we need to give her game time there because as of yet she hasn’t played there for Wales,” said Coetsee.

It will be the third position Poolman has played for Wales in just over a year, having started her international career on the wing before moving to centre this season.

“I love playing for Wales and if it means playing outside half, wing or even playing in the forwards I’d be happy to do so! I do have to say centre is my favourite position, but I’m happy to play wherever I’m asked to play,” said Poolman.

The third change in the side sees Gemma Hallett coming into the second row for Liza Burgess. Burgess, who has been an inspirational figure in the Welsh pack, has failed to fully recover from a knee injury so appears on the bench.

Having brushed aside the Italians in November (30-7) Wales would be forgiven for thinking this game could go the same way, but Coetsee is taking nothing for granted against a side who have shown considerable improvements during the Six Nations.

“Italy will be much stronger at home than they were in the autumn international,” stressed Coetsee. “They have shown with their performances that they are a better side now, and we will have to go there focused and ready for a battle if we want to get a result.

“The conditions in the last game between us suited us a lot more, although having said that we are confident of going there and putting together a good performance.”

The game will also mark a piece of history for winger Louise Rickard who will become the most capped Welsh player of all time when she takes the field on Sunday, surpassing Gareth Llewellyn’s record of ninety-two caps, something which came as a bit of a surprise for Rickard.

“I didn’t know until a few weeks ago I was possibly going to overtake Gareth Llewellyn’s mark as the most capped Welsh rugby international,” confessed Rickard. “It’s not the sort of thing you think about, although it will be a huge honour for me on Sunday.

“I still think I’ve got a couple more seasons left in me and it would be great now to go on and reach one hundred caps. This is a great time to be involved in the Welsh Women’s team because the set-up is so progressive and professional and the system is creating some great talent.”

Italy have changed their back line as they search for their maiden win, including a rare outing for back row Giovanna Bado on the wing. Elsewhere Michela Tondinelli switches from fly half to fullback due to Veronica Schiavon returning from injury. Schiavon will partner her sister, Valentina, at half back.

Despite the November defeat to Wales Italy will be a lot more confident when they host the Welsh on Sunday, having impressed throughout the Six Nations. They are yet to win a game, but at the same time can take great credit from their performances.

The most notable of these was against the French, who were widely tipped to rack up the points over the Azzurri but were given a fright when they only led by two points with barely ten minutes remaining. Italy have shown they are able to compete at the highest level, all they need now is that first win to give them a boost.

Leach’s Prediction: Wales are clear favourites for this game on recent form, and a telling victory over the Italians in November will have them in a buoyant mood for their trip to Rome. However, Italy have gradually improved through the championship so far and will again look to cause Wales problems. With a new half back pairing Wales could find the spark they have lacked a little lately. Wales Women to win by 14 points.

Sunday 11th March 2007 – (12.30 GMT) (13.30 CET) Stadio Tre Fontane

Italy Women: 15. Michela Pondinelli, 14. Bado Giovanna, 13. Silvia Pizzati, 12. Paola Zangirolami, 11. Sara Trilli, 10. Veronica Schiavon, 9. Valentina Schiavon, 8. Silvia Gaudino, 7. Celeste Cristofanello, 6. Gimena Panichelli, 5. Paola Agostinelli, 4. Flavia Severin, 3. Maria Cristina Sanfilippo, 2. Licia Stefan (c), 1. Elisa Cucchiella

Replacements: 16. Angela Tagliaferri, 17. Sara Zanon, 18. Daniela Gini, 19. Sara Pettinelli, 20. Elisa Facchini, 21. Sara Barattin, 22. Sara Sala

Wales Women: 15. Elen Evans, 14. Louise Rickard, 13. Naomi Thomas, 12. Clare Flowers, 11. Non Evans, 10. Rachel Poolman, 9. Mel Berry (c), 8. Kylie Wilson, 7. Jamie Kift, 6. Catrina Nicholas, 5. Gemma Hallett, 4. Claire Donavan, 3. Louise Horgan, 2. Jenny Davies, 1. Amy Broadstock

Replacements: 16. Caryl Thomas, 17. Liza Burgess, 18. Hannah Torangi, 19. Nicky Evans, 20. Amy Day, 21. Rhian Williams, 22. Hannah Szigetvari

Referee: Rupert Henderson (Scotland)

Sunday 11th March 2007 – 1.30pm (Italian Time) 12.30pm (UK Time) Stadio Tre Fontanech
Marcus Leach (Rugby Writer) www.planet-rugby.com