Wales look to pile up points against Hong Kong despite favourites’ tag
WALES may have lost both their matches at the Women’s World Cup, but will be heavy favourites to finish Pool A with victory over Hong Kong in Dublin today (5.15pm).
After a disappointing fifthplace finish in the Six Nations earlier this year, with just one win from their five matches, coach Rowland Phillips was eager for improvement.
The 44-12 defeat to New Zealand flattered Wales’ opponents, while Phillips’ team gave everything during a 15-0 loss to 2014 finalists Canada.
Hong Kong have been comprehensively beaten in their two fixtures so far, losing to the same opponents by a combined score of 219-0.
Wales could finish as high as fifth in the competition and will want to pile up the points against Hong Kong.
Flanker Lleucu George, just 17, is one of nine changes in a rotated match-day squad. It’s her first start after making a debut from the bench against New Zealand.
Loose-head prop Gwenllian Pyrs has been confirmed among the replacements and will hope to make her debut in the clash.
Other changes include wing Jasmine Joyce and scrum-half Keira Bevan returning to the walk-on team, while there are first starts of the tournament for Jodie Evans at full-back and Robyn Wilkins at inside-centre.
“We’ve surpassed many people’s expectations in terms of our performances against two of the world’s best teams, but we’re always looking to improve standards,” said Phillips.
“We’re not content with just putting up a fight. We’re working towards winning big games.
“Our commitment and improvement was there for everyone to see against Canada. We pushed a very good team all the way, and we’ve got to take inspiration from that.
“The main thing now is to keep up that momentum in this competition. They (Hong Kong) will be out to prove a point against us, and we won’t be taking them lightly.” Wales Women: J Evans (Scarlets); J Joyce (Scarlets), G Rowland (Dragons), R Wilkins (Ospreys), J Kavanagh-WIlliams (RGC); E Snowsill (Dragons), K Bevan (Ospreys); C Hale (Dragons), C Phillips (capt) (Ospreys), M York (Dragons), S Lillicrap (Ospreys), M Clay (Ospreys), L George (Scarlets), S Harries (Scarlets), S Powell Hughes (Ospreys). Subs: K Jones (Ospreys), G Pyrs (RGC), C Thomas (Scarlets), R Rowe (Blues), R Taylor (RGC), S Moore (Dragons), E Evans (RGC), D Hywel (Scarlets).