Former Scarlets U18s captain Jenna De Vera named in Wales Women’s Six Nations squad

Rob Lloyd Newyddion

Last season’s Scarlets U18s captain Jenna De Vera has been named in the Wales Women’s senior squad for the forthcoming TIKTOK Six Nations campaign.

De Vera played her junior rugby for the Stradey Sospans hub and currently plays for Burry Port Women’s team. She impressed as part of the Wales Development side in the recent Celtic Cup tournament against their Scottish and Irish counterparts, earning her call-up to Ioan Cunningham’s 36-strong squad.

Former Scarlets centre Hannah Jones will captain the side and will resume the role after leading the team during the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand.

Head coach Ioan Cunningham said: “This is always an exciting moment naming a squad and this is very much a fresh start after the recent World Cup and we cannot wait to get back out there and to play again.

“We are building nicely, the tournament is not too far away and Ireland will be our first challenge and we are looking to starting the campaign well. We have six uncapped players named in the squad and we know it’s important we expose some new players.

“We need to grow the depth in our squad and we have to have one eye on the 2025 World Cup and build on the performances we produced in last season’s Six Nations and the World Cup in New Zealand.

“Hannah Jones grew at the World Cup as a leader and she deserves to lead this side because she drives the standards on and off the pitch and her work ethic is outstanding.”

Jones said: “It’s a really proud moment to be named captain and we have all worked really hard as a group over the last few years and to have the opportunity to lead this squad is an honour.

“We have had players come through from the Celtic Cup into the squad and that is really exciting and we are just all looking forward to getting going and playing Ireland in the first game.

“The new players have been welcomed into the environment and we are excited about that and they will have already seen how hard we work and the standards we have for the TikTok Six Nations.”

The squad features a number of players who have represented the Scarlets, including Alex Callender, Caryl Thomas, Bethan Lewis, Sioned Harries, Ffion Lewis, Lisa Neumann and Lleucu George.

Wales Women’s Senior Squad for the 2023 TikTok Six Nations

FORWARDS: Abbey Constable, Abbie Fleming, Alex Callander, Bethan Lewis, Bryonie King, Cara Hope, Caryl Thomas, Carys Phillips, Cerys Hale, Charlie Mundy, Georgia Evans, Gwen Crabb, Gwenllian Pyrs, Kat Evans, Kate Williams, Kelsey Jones, Natalia John, Sioned Harries, Sisilia Tuipulotu.

BACKS: Amelia Tutt, Carys Williams-Morris, Catherine Richards, Courtney Keight, Elinor Snowsill, Ffion Lewis, Hannah Bluck, Hannah Jones (capt), Jenna De Vera, Keira Bevan, Kerin Lake, Lisa Neumann, Lleucu George, Lowri Norkett, Megan Davies, Niamh Terry, Robyn Wilkins

Wales Women TikTok Six Nations fixtures

Mar 25 Wales v Ireland – Cardiff Arms Park – 2.15pm

Apr 1 Scotland v Wales – DAM Health Stadium – 5.30pm

Apr 15 Wales v England – Cardiff Arms Park – 2.15pm

Apr 23 France v Wales – Stade des Alpes – 3.15pm

Apr 29 Italy v Wales – Stadio Sergio Llanfranchi – 3.30pm