Wales Women’s head coach Tom Brindle could hand as many as four players their international debuts when his side faces Canada at The Gnoll in Neath this Sunday (kick-off 3pm).
London Broncos’ Jade Mullen, along with Zoe Heeley, Frances Layton and Sioned Young of Cardiff Demons, are all in line to earn their first Wales rugby league caps after being named in Brindle’s 19-player squad to face the touring Canadians.
Wales are preparing for the Rugby League World Cup, which takes place in Australia this October and November.
There is also a welcome return for Ffion Lewis, who is back in the Wales rugby league squad for the first time in five years. Since her last appearance, Lewis has enjoyed a successful spell in rugby union, winning 33 caps for Wales. She previously earned two rugby league caps and captained the national side during her first stint in the sport.
Emily Hughes and Katie Carr also return to the squad after missing last year’s international programme through injury.
Bethan Dainton of Wigan Warriors will once again captain the side.
It promises to be a memorable day at The Gnoll, with the future of the women’s and girls’ game also taking centre stage. A curtain-raiser between the West Wales and East Wales Girls Development Under-14 sides kicks off at 11.30am, celebrating the next generation of female rugby league talent before the senior international.
Supporters can attend the match in person or watch via the live stream. Tickets and streaming passes are available at wrl.wales/tickets.
Brindle said: “We’re really looking forward to getting back together and beginning our World Cup preparations. Canada will provide us with a tough test, but that’s exactly what we need at this stage. The focus is on continuing to develop as a team, putting our systems into practice, and building confidence ahead of travelling to Australia later this year.
We’re also delighted to be part of what promises to be a brilliant day for the women’s and girls’ game. Having the Under-14 girls playing before us is a great way to showcase the pathway that’s being created in Wales, and hopefully we can inspire the next generation by putting in a performance our supporters can be proud of.”
Wales Squad: Leanne Burnell, Katie Carr, Jasmine Gibbons, Zoe Heeley*, Sara Jones, Frances Layton*, Amberley Ruck, Olivia Williams, Sioned Young* (all Cardiff Demons), Georgia Cussons, Gracie Hobbs (both Huddersfield Giants), Emily Hughes, Ffion Lewis, Jade Mullen*, Kathryn Salter (all London Broncos), Dani McGifford (St Helens), Bethan Dainton, Carys Marsh (both Wigan Warriors), Agnes Wood (York Valkyrie).
*uncapped
