Four changes for Wales Women as they aim to finish on a high
IOAN CUNNINGHAM has named his Wales side to take on Italy in the final round of the Six Nations today.
Like the men’s team, Wales’ women’s side are facing a whitewash after losing every game so far. However, they have a chance to save some pride with a fixture against the Azzurri at the Principality Stadium.
There are four changes to the team that lost 40-0 at home to France. Hannah Bluck will make her first start of this year’s campaign alongside skipper Hannah Jones in midfield. Recent debutant Jenny Hesketh returns to fill the role of full-back.
Keira Bevan is named at scrum-half and will be partnered at half-back by Lleucu George. Lisa Neumann is named on the wing, and the pack remains unchanged from last week.
Cunningham said: “Nobody needs to tell us how important this game is for us within the tournament, or for what follows, but our focus is totally on what we need to do as a team.
“The Welsh supporters have been a big part of our successes, and we look forward to them getting behind us again.
“Against France, we created pressure and opportunities, and we just need to be more clinical and finish off those opportunities.
“Hannah Bluck has trained well all through this campaign and deserves the opportunity to start at against Italy and the experienced Lisa Neumann comes in on the wing. Our focus has been on what we need to do this week.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge and finishing the tournament on a high.”
Jasmine Joyce and Kayleigh Powell have returned to Great Britain Sevens duty.
Kick-off for the match is at 12.15pm.
Wales XV: Jenny Hesketh; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (captain), Hannah Bluck, Carys Cox; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Natalia John, Abbie Fleming, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender (vice-captain), Georgia Evans.
Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Abbey Constable, Donna Rose, Kate Williams, Gwennan Hopkins, Sian Jones, Niamh Terry, Nel Metcalfe.