Opals lock in line-up

BASKETBALL Australia has named an 18-woman Opals preliminary squad ahead of April’s Commonwealth Games.

The squad will head to a training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport training centre in Italy in February.

Five players based in Europe – Rebecca Allen, Lauren Mansfield, Leilani Mitchell, Stephanie Talbot and Marianna Tolo – are in discussions with their clubs about gaining a release during the Games.

The Opals will play preliminary matches in Townsville before heading to the Gold Coast for finals. The Boomers will play preliminary rounds in Cairns ahead of the finals.