Wales Women’s head coach Tom Brindle has named a 23-player squad for the senior international matches against Scotland and England at The Lextan Gnoll in Neath next month.
The Welsh face Scotland in the visitors’ first ever women’s international on Sunday 3rd August (1pm) before their annual international against England on Saturday 9th August (2pm).
There are two potential debutants in the Wales squad in Olivia Williams and Sioned Young, both of whom have performed well in the RFL Championship this season with Cardiff Demons who are fighting for promotion to Super League.
Two more Demons players, Ffion Jones and Amberley Ruck, are set to win their first caps in three years, with injuries keeping them out of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
The other 19 all took part in last year’s international matches, where Wales qualified for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup for the first time ever, with the finals set for Australia late next year and these two matches form an important part of their preparation for the tournament.
Brindle said: “We’ve managed to put together an exciting squad with a mix of players who are performing well in the Super League and Championship.
“Most of our potential squad are playing much more consistently this year, which has made selection hard.
“We’ve built up a strong squad over the last few years and most of the players already have caps under their belt. However, we do have Liv and Sioned who could earn their debuts thanks to having a strong season at Cardiff Demons.”
Tickets for Wales v Scotland and England are both on sale at wrl.wales/tickets.
Wales Women’s Squad: Leanne Burnell, Lucia Davies, Jasmine Gibbons, Ffion Jenkins, Ffion Jones, Hannah Jones, Sara Jones, Charlie Mundy, Rhi Parker, Amy Price, Amberley Ruck, Meg Whittaker, Olivia Williams*, Sioned Young* (all Cardiff Demons), Ashlea Prescott (Featherstone Rovers), Brittony Price (Fremantle Roosters), Gracie Hobbs (Huddersfield Giants), Bethan Dainton (Leeds Rhinos, captain), Kathryn Salter (London Broncos), Georgia Taylor (Sheffield Eagles), Dani McGifford (St Helens), Carys Marsh (Wigan Warriors), Agnes Wood (York Valkyrie).
