Half-century for Caryl Thomas against France

Caryl Thomas will win her 50th Wales cap in this Friday’s Women’s Six Nations match against table-toppers France in Colwyn Bay (18:00).

The loosehead from Carmarthenshire made her international debut against Ireland in 2006, and is part of an unchanged front row to face the Grand Slam-chasing French at Stadiwm ZipWorld.

Wales’ starting XV is unchanged following Sunday’s Principality Stadium loss to Italy. Five players named in Team Wales’ Commonwealth Games sevens squad earlier this week are named in that line-up: fullback Hannah Jones, wing Jaz Joyce, fly-half Elinor Snowsill, flanker Alisha Butchers and number eight Sioned Harries.

Head coach Rowland Phillips says: “We know we’re playing against the best team in the competition. We’ve got to meet their physicality. It’s an outstanding test for us, and to get something out of this game we need all the near-misses and fine margins that have affected us to this point to go our way this time.

“If we can capitalise on some of the opportunities we’ll be looking to create, we can challenge one of the best teams in the women’s game in front of what will be a strong crowd in Colwyn Bay.”

The game is part of a Wales v France double-header, with the U20 Six Nations match kicking off in Stadiwm ZipWorld at the later time of 20:15.

Wales Women team to face France

15 Hannah Jones (Scarlets)

14 Jaz Joyce (Scarlets)

13 Kerin Lake (Ospreys)

12 Robyn Wilkins (Ospreys)

11 Jess Kavanagh-Williams (RGC)

10 Elinor Snowsill (Dragons)

9 Keira Bevan (Ospreys)

1 Caryl Thomas (Scarlets)

2 Carys Phillips (c)(Ospreys)

3 Amy Evans (Ospreys)

4 Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys)

5 Mel Clay (Ospreys)

6 Alisha Butchers (Scarlets)

7 Bethan Lewis (Scarlets)

8 Sioned Harries (Scarlets)

Replacements

16 Kelsey Jones (Ospreys)

17 Gwenllian Pyrs (RGC)

18 Cerys Hale (Dragons)

19 Natalia John (Ospreys)

20 Nia Elen Davies (Scarlets)

21 Jade Knight (Scarlets)

22 Lisa Neumann (Scarlets)

23 Alecs Donovan (Ospreys)