The game will take place on Sunday 11th June (14:30) at the CCB Centre for Sporting Excellence in Ystrad Mynach – the training base of the Newport Gwent Dragons – which recently hosted the final leg of the U18 International Series.
Head coach Rowland Phillips’s squad will have been in camp for just over a month once they run out against Japan; a period spent working on key areas identified during the recent Women’s Six Nations. “The game in Ystrad Mynach comes at a good time for us,” said Phillips. “We will have focused on details around certain areas of our game. The Japan match gives us a good chance to see how much we have improved.”
The game also provides the Welsh coaches with the opportunity to expose new players to the international environment, with Phillips particularly enthused by what he has seen in the U18 regional girls programme.
“The skill levels of some of these girls are outstanding, so what we need to see from them now is a professional attitude and strong values that will help us take this team forward,” Phillips said. “Whilst we’re preparing for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2017, we’ve also got one eye on 2021. Women’s rugby in Wales is going from strength to strength, with our hub officers unearthing gems all over the country, which is very exciting.”
Wales kick off Pool A of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Ireland on Wednesday 9th August against New Zealand, before taking on Canada (13th August) and Hong Kong (17th August).
Tickets for Wales Women v Japan Women can be purchased on the gate for £5 (free for U16s).
