The 20-year-old flanker from Aberaeron had a barn storming regional championship with the Scarlets and has suitably impressed Wales coach Jason Lewis in pre-tournament warm-up games and he as a result he has no qualms about throwing her in at the deep end.
“We’ve had a number of warm up games leading into the World Cup campaign and Sioned has shown herself to be a fantastic, tenacious back row player. She is very much in the mould of Jamie Kift and she’s a real asset to the team,” explained Lewis.
With Mellissa Berry moving to the backs the back row has a rejigged look to it from the Six Nations. Co-captain Kift moves to No8 to accommodate Harries on the openside while experienced Catrina Nicholas completes the trio who are all crafty in the contact area, a part of the game which is crucial according to Lewis.
“Dominating the contact area is hugely important and those sides that deal with the contact area will have a distinct advantage in Jamie, Catrina and Sioned we have three players who are all fantastic in that area.”
In the backs, Clare Flowers is recalled to the centre to play alongside Berry while Elen Evans returns to the side on the right wing after a couple of years away from the international game.
“Clare gives us direction and plenty of experience and returns after sustaining an injury during the Six Nations. It’s great to see Elen back, she came through the new regional structure. She had previously been in the side, but during the regionals put her hand up and showed she is a versatile player in the backs. She has matured as a player and is good in attack but very sound defensively.”
Lewis admitted there were some tough calls to make for the opening clash but he’s confident Wales have selected ‘the right team’ to take on Australia who will pose a major threat as they have included the vast majority of their world championship Sevens side.
“You’ve got 26 players here who are all desperate to be on the field and who are all desperate for a place to play. We’re very lucky that with a squad of 26 every player could genuinely be in the starting line-up. It’s been a tough decision naming the side and it’s not been taken lightly. There was debate over a lot of positions but we’re confident we have selected a side which will be competitive against Australia,” Lewis added.
Wales Women – v Australia – 20 August 2010
Surrey Sports Park (KO2pm)
15 Non Evans (Cardiff Quins)
14 Elen Evans (Dolgellau)
13 Mellissa Berry (Blaydon – Co-capt)
12 Clare Flowers (Bristol)
11 Mared Evans (UWIC)
10 Naomi Thomas (Bristol)
9 Laura Prosser (Pontyclun)
8 Jamie Kift (Bristol – Co-capt)
7 Sioned Harries (UWIC)
6 Catrina Nicholas (Cardiff Quins)
5 Rachel Taylor (Cardiff Quins)
4 Gemma Hallett (Pontyclun)
3 Catrin Edwards (Cardiff Quins)
2 Rhian Bowden (UWIC)
1 Jennifer Davies (Waterloo).
Replacements: Lowri Harries (UWIC), Caryl Thomas (Bath), Shona Powell Hughes (Neath Athletic), Lisa Newton (UWIC), Amy Day (UWIC), Awen Thomas (Unattached), Ceri Redman (UWIC).
