Wales Women make changes for Italy

Wales Women’s head coach Rhys Edwards has made four changes and two positional switches for Sunday’s Six Nations finale against Italy at the Talbot Athletic Ground (KO 2pm).

Adi Taviner and Kerin Lake replace Dyddgu Hywel and Elinor Snowsill in the backs while Amy Evans and Siwan Lillicrap come in for Catrin Edwards and Rebecca Rowe in the forwards.
There could be one further change with Edwards giving Sioned Harries more time to recover from illness after the No8 missed the clash against England.

Lake’s inclusion gives Edwards another chance to look at Robyn Wilkins at fly half with Snowsill dropping down to the bench while Meg York switches from tighthead prop to loose head to accommodate Evans who has impressed when given an opportunity during the campaign.

“Elinor has good experience at 10 and has matured in her role this year. It’s important that we look at strength in depth and provide Robyn with opportunities to develop as an international outside half,” said Edwards.

“We’ll be looking to really attack Italy and keep the ball alive and go through the phases. I’m really pleased with the progress we have made over the last four games. We have shown some excellent attacking intent, and some ruthless defence. We were unlucky not to win last week against England.

“We have one more opportunity to go out and put on a good show in front of another big home crowd.”

Wales Women v Italy Women, Sunday 20 March, Talbot Athletic Ground, KO 2pm
15 Adi Taviner (Ospreys/ Skewen)
14 Bethan Dainton (Dragons / Bristol)
13 Hannah Jones (Scarlets / Penybanc)
12 Kerin Lake (Ospreys/ Skewen)
11 Elen Evans (Scarlets / Caernarfon)
10 Robyn Wilkins (Ospreys / Llandaff North)
9 Keira Bevan (Ospreys / Skewen);
1 Megan York (Dragons / Ynysddu)
2 Carys Phillips (Ospreys / Skewen)
3 Amy Evans (Ospreys / Skewen)
4 Shona Powell-Hughes (Ospreys / Skewen)
5 Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys/ Skewen)
6 Rachel Taylor (Dragons / Caernarfon – Captain)
7 Sian Williams (Dragons / Worcester)
8 Sioned Harries (Scarlets / Whitland) / Alisha Butchers (Scarlets / Pen y Banc)
Replacements:
16 Amy Price (Ospreys / Skewen)
17 Cerys Hale (Dragons / Pontyclun)
18 Catrin Edwards (Scarlets / Llandaff North)
19 Rebecca Rowe (Dragons / Richmond)
20 Sioned Harries (Scarlets / Whitland) / Alisha Butchers (Scarlets / Pen y Banc)
21 Elinor Snowsill (Dragons / Bristol)
22 Gemma Rowland (Dragons / Wasps)
23 Dyddgu Hywel (Scarlets / Pontyclun)

Tickets are still available via www.wru.wales/tickets or on the gate – £10 (U16s free)