Jones starts at nine as Wales ring changes for England clash
WALES have made six changes tomorrow’s Women’s Six Nations clash with England in Bristol with Sian Jones handed a full debut.
Jones, 20, replaces Keira Bevan at scrum-half while Carys Cox is picked ahead of Nel Metcalfe on the wing.
Carys Phillips and Donna Rose come into the front row as Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu drop to the bench.
Georgia Evans and Kate Williams also start in the pack as Wales look to bounce back from defeat by Scotland.
Wales were beaten narrowly by the Scots in their opening game of this year’s tournament at Cardiff Arms Park last weekend.
But this weekend’s game, which takes place at Ashton Gate, will be another step up for Ioan Cunningham’s team as they take on an England side who have won the last five Women’s Six Nations Championships.
“England are the benchmark side for every nation in the women’s game and we have nothing to lose against a team that won the Grand Slam last season,” said Wales head coach Cunningham.
Jones is handed a first Wales start having made her debut as a substitute against Scotland, while lock Evans and flanker Williams come in for Natalia John and Alisha Butchers respectively.
Full-back Jenny Hesketh wins her second Wales cap having previously captained England at under-20 level.
England have lost just 12 Women’s Six Nations game since 2002, and have been beaten only once in the competition since 2017.
Wales’ last win over England came in the 2015 Six Nations, as they won 13-0 at St Helen’s in Swansea.
That success is one of only two that Wales have enjoyed over their neighbours in 37 games, with the other coming back in 2009.
Wales go into the game off the back of that 20-18 defeat against Scotland, after Lleucu George missed a 79thminute conversion which would have secured a draw.
England, meanwhile, thrashed Italy 48-0 to start their title defence in fine fashion.
“We have made six changes to face England in Bristol and are under no illusions of the challenge facing us,” Cunningham said.
“We have strength in depth in the squad and this is an opportunity for the players selected to show what they can do.
“We need to focus on what we do. We had a pretty robust review of the Scotland game and the players identified the key areas that we have to improve on for this weekend’s Test match.”
Wales: Jenny Hesketh; Jasmine Joyce, Hannah Jones, Kerin Lake,
Carys Cox; Lleucu George, Sian Jones; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Donna Rose, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Kate Williams, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis.
Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Abbey Constable, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Natalia John, Alisha Butchers, Keira Bevan, Kayleigh Powell, Nel Metcalfe.