Eight Scarlets have been named in a 35-strong Wales Women squad for the forthcoming five-match November international series.
Scarlets Ladies vice-captain Alex Callender, Sioned Harries, Bethan Lewis, Lleucu George (pictured), Ffion Lewis and the uncapped trio of Gwenllian Jenkins, Angharad Desmet and Caitlin Lewis have been named for matches against Spain, Ireland, Scotland, Crawshay’s and Barbarians, which is part of a Principality Stadium double header.
Head coach Rowland Phillips said: “Our focus hasn’t changed. We are already qualified for the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup and our key aim is to build a squad of young players with significant experience under their belts.
“This autumn series is a huge opportunity to do that. All players will gain from the experience of travelling away for three testing encounters against Spain, Ireland and Scotland – all of whom still need to qualify for the World Cup. And to be part of two historic encounters in Wales at the end of November against the Crawhshay’s and Barbarians is something we will all look forward to and enjoy.”
WRU international skills coaches Geraint Lewis and Chris Horsman have joined Rowland Phillips and Gareth Wyatt in the Wales Women coaching set-up.
Wales Women autumn series squad
Forwards: (5 uncapped*)
Alex Callender (Scarlets), Gwen Crabb (Ospreys), Amy Evans (Ospreys), Georgia Evans* (Cardiff Blues), Abbie Fleming* (Cardiff Blues), Cerys Hale (Cardiff Blues),Sioned Harries (Scarlets), Cara Hope (Ospreys), Jordan Hopkins* (Cardiff Blues), Gwenllian Jenkins* (Scarlets), Natalia John (Ospreys), Manon Johnes (Cardiff Blues), Kelsey Jones (Ospreys), Bethan Lewis (Scarlets), Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys), Robyn Lock* (Ospreys), Carys Phillips (Ospreys), Gwenllian Pyrs (RGC)
Backs: (9 uncapped*)
Keira Bevan, (Ospreys), Angharad Desmet* (Scarlets), Alecs Donovan (Ospreys), Lleucu George (Scarlets), Courtney Keight* (Ospreys), Kerin Lake (Ospreys), Caitlin Lewis* (Scarlets), Ffion Lewis (Scarlets), Rebekah O’Loughlin* (Cardiff Blues), Kayleigh Powell* (Ospreys), Paige Randall* (Cardiff Blues), Catherine Richards* (Cardiff Blues), Lauren Smyth (Ospreys), Elinor Snowsill Ospreys), Niamh Terry* (Ospreys), Megan Webb* (Cardiff Blues), Robyn Wilkins (Cardiff Blues)
Wales Women fixtures November 2019
Spain v Wales Women, Estadio Nacional Computense, Madrid, Sunday 3 November 12.45pm local time
Ireland v Wales Women, The Bowl, UCD, Dublin, Sunday 10 November 1pm
Scotland v Wales Women, Glasgow, Sunday 17 November 3pm
Crawshay’s v Wales Women, Eugene Cross Park, Ebbw Vale Saturday 23 November 2.30pm
Wales Women v Barbarians Saturday 30 November, Principality Stadium 11.45am
Tickets for the Barbarians double-header on sale via wru.wales/tickets