Former Wales internationals Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin and Ashley Beck, who are the head coaches for Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder respectively, have each named 30-strong squads.
The new WRU-owned teams will play Irish and Scottish opposition, home and away, in the cross-border tournament.
The Welsh sides will mark the first historic game in a Welsh derby double-header at Rodney Parade on New Years Day (KO:2pm).
Beck, who won seven Wales caps, was appointed as Worcester Warriors Women’s attack coach before the club’s demise in November, has named a Brython Thunder squad with an impressive mix of experience and young talent.
Wales Test stars like Alex Callendar, Sioned Harries, Natalia John, Meg Davies, Hannah Bluck, Meg Webb and Niamh Terry have all been named in his squad, alongside exciting talent like Ellie May Troman and Seren Singleton.
Beck, said: “We have an exciting blend of proven Test match players and players of real potential at this level in the squad. The challenge for us is to come together as a squad and realise what a great opportunity we have to set a new standard as we build into the Celtic Challenge.
“We know there is an expectation because we have some international players in the squad, and we need all the experience and leadership they have because we are a new team. We know we need to establish our own identity to meet the challenges of Gwalia Lightning in our Welsh derby and the teams in Ireland and Scotland.”
Nicholas-McLaughlin was capped 60 times for Wales Women and is a WRU level 4 coach. She was head coach of Wales Women’s U18s, assistant coach for Wales Women’s U20s and was an attached coach with the Wales WXV squad in New Zealand.
The Lightning squad includes Nel Metcalfe, who played for Wales in the WXV1 in New Zealand and Wales U20s captain, Jenna DeVera and the likes of Catherine Richards and Gwennan Hopkins.
Nicholas-McLaughlin, said: “We have selected a young and exciting squad, full of real talent who have being waiting for an opportunity like this to test themselves against international players from Wales, Ireland and Scotland in the Celtic Challenge.
“There are no illusions of the challenges ahead of us and it will be a test but it’s one we are all excited by and the prospect of that Welsh derby at Rodney Parade is exciting and will give is a real mark of where we are as a squad.
Brython Thunder squad:
Chloe Thomas-Bradley, Alex Callender, Katie Carr, Rosie Carr, Cadi-Lois Davies, Rhian Thomas, Sioned Harries, Natalia John, Madi Johns, Finley Jones, Katie Mackay, Charlie Mundy, Carys Schofield, Shona Wakley, Georgia Morgan, Milly Summer, Meg Davies, Hannah Bluck, Katie Bevans, Sian Davies, Mollie Wilkinson, Danai Mugabe, Meg Webb, Eleanor Hing, Seren Singleton, Niamh Terry, Rachel Thomas, Ellie May Troman, Amy Williams, Lowri Williams
Gwalia Lightning squad:
Mica Evans, Molly Reardon, Danyelle Dinapoli, Jenni Scoble, Tyler Lewis, Paige Jones, Tilly Vucaj, Catrin Jones, Maisie Davies, Katie Jenkins, Lucy Isaac, Gwennan Hopkins, Sydney Mead, Sian Jones, Kierra Deeks, Niamh Tinman, Carys Hughes, Katie Thicker, Rhodd Parry, Rebecca DeFillipo, Molly Anderson-Thomas, Catherine Richards, Jenna DeVera, Caitlin Lewis, Kate Davies, Nel Metcalfe, Mali Jones, Sophie Waughn, Lowri Williams, Tess Evans.
Tickets for the double-header of action are available NOW – click HERE to buy online or call the Ticket Office team at Rodney Parade on 01633 670690.
For more information on Gwalia Lightning, Brython Thunder and the new Celtic Challenge CLICK HERE
The Head coaches and management teams for Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder were announced last week – CLICK HERE for more details.
