Team GB star Joyce gets start

DEBUTANTS Jasmine Joyce and Rhiannon Parker are two of four changes to the Wales starting team for this Friday’s Women’s Six Nations match against Scotland at Broadwood Stadium (6.20pm).

Wing Joyce (pictured), starred for Team GB at last year’s Rio Olympics Sevens, scored two tries in an uncapped victory against Spain last month.

She is joined in the starting team by scrumhalf Parker, whilst Rebecca de Filippo returns from injury to start at inside centre for the first time in the tournament.

Cerys Hale earns the starting shirt at loosehead prop in the only change to the forward pack, for a game that head coach Rowland Phillips is targeting as an opportunity to regain momentum, following a heavy 63-0 defeat last time out to England.

“The response of the players following the England match has been outstanding.

“From the Sunday following that game, our focus immediately moved on to Scotland,” said Phillips.

“Scotland’s last two performances in the competition – losing to a last-minute play from Ireland and being very competitive in the first 20 minutes against France – shows how much they have improved this season. We will need to be ready for this challenge.”

Of the new caps in the team, Phillips added: “Jasmine and Rhiannon are two talented individuals who have been in and around the squad for a while now, and we feel the way they’ve performed in the warm-up games and in training has earnt them this opportunity.” who