Wales Women have been boosted by the news that centres Naomi Thomas and Clare Flowers have recovered from injury in time to face France at the Brewery Field on Sunday (2pm).
Thomas has missed the start of the Women’s Six Nations due to a long-term knee injury and will be a major boost, while Flowers suffered a shoulder injury against England and missed the victory over Scotland a fortnight ago.
The returns will allow captain Mellissa Berry to move back to her more usual position of no 8 after filling in nicely in the centre, and for Rachel Taylor to return to lock after performing well at no 8.
Laura Prosser retains her place at scrum half, while Rhian Bowden, who came off the bench to make her return after injury against Scotland, starts at hooker for the first time in this campaign.
Wales Women head coach Jason Lewis said, “Naomi Thomas is one of the most naturally gifted footballers in the women’s game and it’s great to have her back along with Clare Flowers. Ceri Redman did excellently in our first two games after making her international debut against England which is great for our strength in depth in that area.
“This is a crucial game for us, there’s no doubt about it. If we beat France we have a really good chance of finishing within the top two for the third consecutive season which would be a real achievement.
“Losing in France last season is something that still hurts. We had beaten them earlier in the season at the European Championships and we were guilty of underestimating them in the Six Nations. We certainly won’t make the same mistake again and we’ll have to be on the button both in attack and defence if we are to answer the questions France will ask of us. They will be a much tougher proposition than Scotland, although they lost to the Scots on the opening weekend.”
Wales Women v France
The Brewery Field, Bridgend
Sunday 28 February, 2pm
Tickets for the match are £2.50 for Under 16s and £5 for adults
Non Evans (Cardiff Quins); Caryl James (Cardiff Quins), Naomi Thomas (Cardiff Quins), Clare Flowers (Bristol Ladies), Aimee Young (UWIC) ; Awen Thomas (Unattached), Laura Prosser (Cardiff Quins); Catrin Edwards (Cardiff Quins), Rhian Bowden (UWIC), Jenny Davies (Waterloo), Gemma Hallett (Pontyclun), Rachel Taylor (Cardiff Quins), Catrina Nicholas (Cardiff Quins), Jamie Kift (Bristol Ladies), Mellissa Berry (capt, Blaydon)
Replacements: Becky Newton (Cardiff Quins), Hannah Roberts (UWIC), Claire Horgan (Saracens), Louise Horgan (Saracens), Amy Day (Bristol Ladies), Ceri Redman (UWIC), Mared Evans (UWIC)
