Triple squad announcement for Wales Women

The seniors start the ball-rolling with their must-win match against Ireland at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday evening (kick-off 7.15pm). It will be both teams’ last chance to assure automatic qualification for the 2006 Women’s Rugby World Cup, with only the top five Six Nations finishers guaranteed places. The sixth placed side faces a nerve-wracking wait for the IRB decision on who will receive a coveted ‘invitation place’.

There are five changes to the line-up that lost in Murrayfield. Amy Broadstock returns from injury to start at prop, with Claire Horgan moving to the bench alongside the now fit Nicola John. Hayley Baxter takes the right wing berth, with Manon Williams returning to the squad as a replacement.

Wales Development (12.30pm) and U19s (2.30pm) face their English counterparts at Birchgrove RFC, Swansea, on Sunday with both squads looking to utilise a home advantage and record their first wins of the season. In the U19 squad, several changes have been made following their 5-5 draw against England U19s in Coventry. At the hotly-contested scrum half position, Beth Gallagher replaces Amy Day.

Wholesale shuffling has been made in the backline with Gemma Williams moving from wing to full-back, Rachel Poolman from full-back to centre and Hannah Szigetvari from centre to wing. Mared Evans returns to the squad having recovered from a fractured scaphoid sustained in the U19s recent tour to Canada.Eirlys Lougher and Lucy Berry lead the Development squad following their senior duty during the Six Nations campaign.  

There are six changes to the starting line-up from the side that lost to British Army on Tuesday evening. Ruth Copeland, Louise Akers and Claire Mattey take places up front, with a new half-back pairing in Miriam Evans and Bethan Walsh being tested. With Manon Williams returning to the senior squad, Nicola Evans starts on the wing, creating a dynamic back three alongside Nina Bishop and Philippa Tuttiet. Laura Prosser and Paula Mullen are added to the squad as half-back cover.

Wales Seniors
Amy Broadstock (Llandaff North); Jenny Davies (Caernarfon); Louise Horgan (Saracens); Ayla Rose (Llandaff North); Claire Donovan (Saracens); Catrina Nicholas (UWIC); Kylie Wilson CAPT (Waterloo); Emma Phillips (Llandaff North); Kerry Jenkins (UWIC); Awen Thomas (Cardiff Quins); Louise Rickard (Saracens); Lowri Jones (Bala); Rhian Williams VICE-CAPT (Wasps); Hayley Baxter (UWIC); Elen Evans (Dolgellau) Nicola John (Cardiff Quins); Claire Horgan (Waterloo); Rebecca Dando (Cardiff Quins), Rachel Brown (Waterloo); Becky Davies (Cardiff Quins); Stacey Saunders (Tylorstown); Manon Williams (Caernarfon)

Wales Development
Sian Thomas (Tycroes); Angharad Thomas (Saracens); Ruth Copeland (Llandaff North); Madeline Bowley (Waunarlwydd); Louise Akers (Dolgellau); Claire Mattey (Birchgrove); Eirlys Lougher (UWIC) CAPT; Vikki Gaylard (Llandaff North); Miriam Evans (London Welsh); Bethan Walsh (Oxford University); Nicola Davies (Tycroes); Lucy Berry VICE CAPT (Fishguard & Goodwick); Jessica Kidley (Llandaff North); Nina Bishop (Fishguard & Goodwick); Philippa Tuttiet (Llandaff North / Clifton); Rachel Evans (Pontyclun); Natalie Bowen (Fishguard & Goodwick); Kath Foale (Saracens); Gemma Hallett (University of Central Lancashire); Laura Prosser (Richmond); Hayley Kemp (Alton); Paula Mullen (Llandaff North)

Wales U19
Hannah Roberts (Cardiff Quins); Sophie Williams (Richmond); Caryl Thomas (Birchgrove); Beth Hawke (Bridgend); Amy Thompson (Tylorstown); Rhian Bowden CAPT (UWIC); Rhiannon Evans (Oxford University / Leicester Stoneygate); Kwokwen Cheung (Llandaff North); Beth Gallagher VICE CAPT (Waunarlwydd); Michaela Reed (Birchgrove); Hannah Szigetvari (Cardiff Quins); Eulon Davies (Birchgrove); Rachel Poolman (Tycroes); Lowri Evans (Dolgellau); Gemma Williams (UWIC / Llandaff North) Mared Evans (Caernarfon); Heledd Stephens (Tycroes); Amy Day VICE CAPT (UWIC); Rachel Lane (Uni of Gloucester / Llandaff North); Tanya Davies (Cardiff Quins); Laura Ogden (Loughborough); Hannah Torangi (Llandaff North)