Wales women’s coach Jason Lewis is sending his side out against Sweden on Saturday with a simple message: be clinical.
The international match has been switched from the Vale Resort and will now be played at St Helen’s, Swansea, kicking off at 1pm. (Entry is FREE).
Sweden will pose an early test for Wales as Lewis and his fellow coaches prepare for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship and then the World Cup.
The Swedes have also qualified for the World Cup where they have been grouped with France, Canada and Scotland whereas Wales face the daunting prospect of taking on New Zealand along with Australia and South Africa.
“We’re looking forward to the game. We’ve not played at Swansea before so that will be a new experience for the players,” said Lewis. “They have been working hard as a group since July and I’m hoping they can transfer a number of facets from the training pitch onto the field.
“There’s no doubt that just like in the men’s game, the ability to manage the contact area is vitally important. We have to be clinical in that area.”
He added Wales have applied new structures in attack while also incorporating a new defence system so the encounter against Sweden comes at an ideal time for the Welsh side which will be led out once again by Mel Berry.
Lewis is also keen that his side maintain a level of intensity which will be required for bigger challenges which lie ahead.
The World Cup may not be until August 2010, but the Welsh coach is already thinking of the bigger picture by giving hooker Becky Newton, fly-half Elinor Snowsill and winger Caryl James their international bows while another newcomer, backrower Lisa Newton, starts from the bench.
Wales vs Sweden – 28th Nov 09 – St Helens (KO 1pm)
1. Catrin Edwards (Cardiff Quins)
2. Becky Newton (Cardiff Quins)
3. Hannah Roberts (UWIC)
4. Gemma Hallett (Pontyclun)
5. Claire Donovan (Saracens)
6. Rachel Taylor (Cardiff Quins)
7. Catrina Nicholas (Cardiff Quins)
8. Mel Berry (capt) (Blaydon)
9. Amy Day (Bristol Ladies)
10. Elinor Snowsill (Loughborough)
11. Caryl James (Cardiff Quins)
12. Clare Flowers (Bristol Ladies)
13. Rachel Poolman (UWIC)
14. Lou Rickard (Woodbridge)
15. Non Evans (Cardiff Quins)
Replacements
16. Jenny Davies (Waterloo)
17. Claire Horgan (Saracens)
18. Louise Horgan (Saracens)
19. Lisa Newton (UWIC)
20. Laura Prosser (Cardiff Quins)
21. Awen Thomas (Unattached)
22. Aimee Young (UWIC)
