EMERGING WALES WOMEN TO MEET ENGLAND U18 DEVELOPMENT IN CARDIFF

A women’s rugby match between an Emerging Wales side and an England U18 Talent Development Group will be held at Principality Stadium this Wednesday (18:00).

Emerging Wales will be overseen by senior women’s head coach Rowland Phillips and assistant coach Gareth Wyatt, and managed by current Wales international Siwan Lillicrap, with the aim to expose a new generation of aspiring young players to a higher level of rugby.

Phillips said: “We’ve called this an Emerging Wales team rather than the traditional age grade format because it gives greater flexibility in the selection of players, and will complement the late developer to the sport.

“There are many girls who have not made selection for this game, but we are very aware of the talent that exists. Those who have missed out this time will undoubtedly get opportunities in the very near future as we build our performance programme.”

Preparations for the match have also allowed Wales to tap into the expertise of the current regional management teams: former Wales international Lisa Newton (Cardiff Blues Women), Mike Connor (WRU Hub Officer and Blues Women), and former Ebbw Vale head coach Lee Davies. Entry is free for the match, with the usual security measures in place for supporters entering the stadium.

Emerging Wales squad: Aimee Ridley, Amie Turner, Alex Callender, Caitlin Lewis, Catrin Jones, Courtney Greenway, Darcy Thomas, Ellie Morgan, Ffion Jones, Hannah Powell, Hatty Davies, Imogen Shide, Isla Lewis, Katie Thicker, Kenzie Tutton, Liliana Podpadec, Manon Johnes, Meg Webb, Megan Davies, Melissa Gnojek, Molly Kelly, Molly Philpott, Niahm Terry, Ruth Lewis, Sarah Lawrence, Sian Davies, Molly James.