Joyce set to Jaz up the Foster’s 7s

Olympic Games sevens star Jasmine Joyce is among a Scarlets side brimming with international experience which is aiming to retain the Foster’s 7s title at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday.

Joyce was a standout figure for GB Women in Rio de Janeiro where her pace and finishing prowess caught the eye. GB finished the Olympic Games without a medal but the players’ sterling efforts on the pitch caught the public’s imagination and sevens seems certain of becoming an integral part of the Olympics.

“It’s going to be fantastic seeing her back in a Scarlets shirt on Sunday, the squad have been buzzing about defending the Foster’s title. When we posted the squad on our team group with Jaz included, the excitement level went through the roof,” said Scarlets Women’s Regional Rugby Coordinator, Daryl Morgan.

“We’ve all been so proud of what Jasmine has achieved over the last year and seeing her play and make such an impact in the Olympics was just incredible.

“We’ve done really well in the regional sevens series so far, coming runners-up in round one at Principality Stadium then going on to win the next two tournaments in Swansea and Llanidloes, but Sunday is going to be on another level,” he said.

The Scarlets will be led by centre Elen Evans who is among seven players who have represented Wales in the Six Nations while Jess Kavanagh-Williams and Joyce have played for their country in sevens.

Despite the Scarlets going into the tournament as firm favourites, the Ospreys will fancy their chances having nine internationals in their squad while the Blues and Dragons have made it clear they aren’t turning up just to make up the numbers.

“We’ve been looking forward to this competition all summer,” said Dragons head coach, Gwesyn Price.

“We have experienced sevens players in Elinor Snowsill and Sian Williams with exciting new talent like Eve Jones, Ffion Pinch and Brooke Morris coming through the U18 ranks. We’ve been hit hard in losing Gemma Rowland and Beth Dainton to injury but it gives our other squad members a great opportunity just before the start of the XV a side Regional Championship next week,” he added.

Following the success of rugby sevens at the Rio Olympics, the Welsh Rugby Union will hold a talent identification day at the National Centre of Excellence on Sunday 18 September. With Wales Women hoping to qualify for the Commonwealth Games in 2018, the search is on for more international sevens stars.

After recruiting a former rower and a weight lifter to the 15 a side game at previous Talent ID days, along with current rugby players wanting to put their hands up to step up to the next level, Wales Women Sevens head coach Nick Wakley is confident there will be no shortage of talent.

He said, “On the back of rugby sevens having had such a successful platform at the Olympics to show the world what a fantastic sport it is, and with additional investment from the WRU, Sport Wales and Commonwealth Games Wales, we are looking to accelerate our Women’s sevens programme and are keen to target athletes from a variety of sporting backgrounds, along with any current players inspired by the Olympics to step up their commitment to rugby. The game is fast-paced, skilful and requires ultimate athletic ability. We know there is plenty of talent out there and we want to attract players to rugby sevens who may never have considered this before and develop them into confident rugby players who I have no doubt will fall in love with the sport very quickly with all that it offers.

“There is an incredibly exciting few years ahead for rugby sevens with the Youth Commonwealth Games in 2017, Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, both of which we hope to be part of, along with the target of securing a place on the World Series which would be a significant game changer for women’s sport in Wales.’’

Anyone interested in finding out more about Wales Women Sevens opportunities should go to www.wru.wales/tryourgame 

Women’s teams for National Foster’s 7s, Sunday 28 August, BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park. All the action starts at 9.30. For tickets go to www.wru.wales/ticketing  

Cardiff Blues: Rhiannon Parker, Philippa Tuttiett, Jade Mullen, Tatyana Heard, Claire Morgan, Megan Goddard, Elin Huxtable, Kierra Deeks, Jess Wallington, Abbie Fleming
Dragons: Sian Williams, Elinor Snowsill, Eve Jones, Rebecca De Filippo, Amberley Ruck, Lauren Tracey, Roisin Payton, Brooke Morris, Ffion Pinch, Sian Moore, Megan O’Sullivan, Alicia McCormish
Ospreys:  Carys Phillips, Kelsey Jones, Siwan Lillicrap, Robyn Lock, Mel Clay, Shona Powell-Hughes, Keira Bevan, Larissa Muldoon, Kerin Lake, Adi Taviner, Ffion Bowen, Rosie Fletcher
Scarlets: Alisha Butchers, Rachael Taylor, Natalie Walsh, Nia Davies, Dyddgu Hywel, Jess Kavanagh-Williams, Hannah Jones, Jodie Evans, Elen Evans (Capt), Ffion Lewis, Caryl James, Jasmine Joyce.