Cunningham up for Canada challenge

WALES Women head coach Ioan Cunningham has made three changes to his side for their autumn finale against Canada tomorrow (5pm kick-off ).

The hosts face their toughest challenge of the autumn against a side ranked third in the world, but making further progress is a priority after wins over Japan (23-5) in the opener and a 29-19 victory over South Africa last weekend.

However, they will need to ensure they are more ruthless with their chances against a side who are strong up front but also put a lot of width on the ball.

It will be the last time Wales run out before historic new professional contracts are put on the table in December before taking effect from January. Ten professional deals and 15 semi-professional contracts are up for grabs.

Canada, meanwhile, head into the fixture off the back of a 51-12 thrashing by England last Sunday.

The three changes see Keira Bevan start at scrumhalf after a bench place last time out, while Caryl Thomas returns at loosehead and Lisa Neumann is back on the wing after the duo missed the Springboks match through injury.

Wales will once again be without flyer Jasmine Joyce, who is = on Team GB duty.

Cunningham said: “Our primary focus is to keep improving. We are pleased with how we went against Japan and South Africa.

“However, we left a lot of scoring opportunities on the park, that is something we can’t do this weekend. When we create chances to score, we must take them.

“Canada are ranked third in the world for good reason. They have Olympic athletes in the side and World Series sevens players. They will challenge and test us and play an ‘allcourt’ game - they are strong up front and put a lot of width on the ball too. We will have to apply ourselves from the off right through to final whistle.

“We are pleased with our progression so far and we are determined to finish the campaign on a high.” Wales: Terry; Neumann, Jones, Lake, C Lewis; Snowsill, Bevan; C Thomas, Phillips, Hale, John, G Evans, Butchers, B Lewis, Lillicrap (capt). Reps: K Evans, Hope, Kelly, Rose, Crabb, Callender, F Lewis, Wilkins, Webb.

Tickets for the match are on sale via www.wru. wales/waleswomen