There is plenty to play for as the WRU women’s inaugural regional competition kicks off tomorrow evening.
The Dragons take on the Blues at Cross Keys while the Scarlets play the Ospreys at Carmarthen Athletic (both matches kick off at 7.15pm.)
The regional programme will see club players pit their skills alongside and against Under 20s and international players. With the Women’s World Cup approaching in the summer, the Welsh senior coaching team will be watching with plenty of interest.
Sophie Bennett, Women’s Performance Manager commented, “This is a good chance for the girls to represent their regions and have a ‘regional’ identity,” before adding, “This should make for an exciting series of fixtures and with the Women’s World Cup just around the corner there is certainly plenty to play for.
“This is an excellent opportunity for the best players in Wales to come together and play against each other. With such a good standard of coaching available, there is a chance to be coached by international coaches.
“There is also an opportunity for non internationals to show the coaches what they can do while the competition provides an ideal chance for the internationals to have three good quality fixtures before selection is made in the middle of May. There’s no doubt places are still up for grabs so all of the fringe players and Under 20 players hoping to push for senior honours will be desperate to impress.”
Carmarthen Athletic, 14 April 2010, KO 7.15pm
Scarlets 15 Lowri Evans 14 Caryl James13 Naomi Thomas12 Elen Evans11 Heledd Stephens 10 Awen Davies 9 Jess Kavanagh; 1 Sian Morgan 2 Jenny Hawkins 3 Catrin Edwards 4 Chloe Howells 5 Kath Gravell 6 Sioned Harris 8 Vicky Owens 7 Nia Davies
Substitutes 16 Ceris Davies 17 Cath Davies 18 Natalie Walsh 19 Keely Evans 20 Jodi Evans 21 Alaw Davies 22 Carys Thomas
Ospreys 15 Rhianydd Morgan 14 Eulon Davies 13 Adi Taviner 12 Jamie Davies 11 Nicola Davies 10 Bethan Preece 9 Sian Moore; 1 Alex Stokes 2 Laura O’Shea 3 Amy Hughes 4 Sian Williams 5 Shona Powell-Hughes 6 Kathryn Joseph 8 Carys John 7 Lisa Newton
Substitutes
16 Bethan Howell 17 Carole Ann Burt 18 Cari Bowen- Davies 19 Carys Phillips
Pandy Park, Cross Keys, 14 April 2010, KO 7.15pm
Dragons 15 Megan Williams 14 Kim Boaler 13 Aimee Young 12 Kay Rees 11 Victoria White 10 Yaasmin Leung 9 Kerry Jenkins;1 Caryl Thomas 2 Rhian Bowden 3 Megan Yorke 4 Mara Roberts 5 Tanyer Price 6 Sian Williams 8 Beth Hawke 7 Jamie Kift (c)
Substitutes
16 Claire Lilley 17 Danielle Gagne 18 Amanda Howell 19 Anna Mills 20 Jess Wilson 21 Leila Johns 22 Ceri Bailey
Blues 15 Emma Winch 14 Rachel Green 13 Levi Hallet 12 Jess Kidley 11 Kiri Bennett
10 Kat Lenon 9 Laura Prosser; 1 Natalie Stone 2 Rachel Cork 3 Lowri Harris 4 Nia Sian Jones 5 Gemma Hallett 6 Vikki Gaylard 8 Catrina Nicholas 7 Megan Snape
Substitutes Amy Kelland, Sam Baker, Kirsty Harrison, Rachel Jones, Larissa Muldoon, Anna Jenkins, Zoe Wells
