Wales and England have named their squads for this Sunday’s international women’s rugby league clash at Pandy Park, Cross Keys (kick-off 1pm).
In the Wales 19-player squad, there are six potential new caps, including two who have won caps for Wales in rugby union in the past – Bethan Dainton and Rhi Parker.
Dainton, who has played rugby union for Dragons, Bristol Bears, Harlequins and Barbarians, started playing rugby league last year for the British Army. She has won eight Welsh caps in the union code.
Parker, who has turned out for Cardiff Blues, Bristol Bears and Crawshays in her rugby union career, has won five Wales RU caps. She is new to rugby league this year, having joined Cardiff Demons.
Former Wales netball international Fern Davies has also been included for the first time. The former Commonwealth Games competitor has recently started playing for Warrington Wolves.
Brittony Price, plus twins Katie and Rosie Carr, all of Bridgend Blue Bulls and Cardiff Demons, are also in line for their first appearances.
The inclusion of Ffion and Sara Jones means that Wales could field two sets of twins in the same match for the first time in the nation’s international rugby league history.
England have named a squad of 20 for the match with five players who could make their first international appearance.
Former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper Caroline Collie becomes the first player from the Betfred Women’s Super League South to be selected for England after making an impressive start to the season scoring six tries in a recent victory over Bristol Golden Ferns.
There are other potential debutants are Courtney Winfield-Hill of Leeds Rhinos, winner of the 2019 Woman of Steel, York City Knights forward Olivia Wood, St Helens halfback Zoe Harris and Huddersfield Giants’ Bethan Oates.
Wales coach Tom Brindle said: “The players have all worked really hard in training over the last few months, which has made squad selection very difficult for me.
“Most of our squad are Welsh born and bred, which is really important to us as a group, and we’re confident that we will put in a good performance which looks to inspire the next generation in South Wales.”
England coach Craig Richards said: “It is brilliant to be able to introduce so many new and talented faces to the side ahead of this weekend’s trip to Wales.
“All of the potential debutants have impressed me in the early stages of the season and have earned the opportunity to show us what they can do on the international stage.”
Tickets for Wales v England for this Sunday, priced at £5 adults and free for children, can be bought by going to https://wrl.wales/tickets
Wales (from): Katie Carr*, Rosie Carr*, Ffion Jones, Sara Jones, Eleri Michael (all Bridgend Blue Bulls / Cardiff Demons), Bethan Dainton*(British Army), Lauren Aitken, Leanne Burnell, Seren Gough-Walters, Charlie Mundy, Rhi Parker*, Brittony Price*, Amberley Ruck (all Cardiff Blue Dragons / Cardiff Demons), Emily Hughes, Kathryn Salter (both London Broncos), Bryonie King, Molly Reardon (both Rhondda Outlaws / Cardiff Demons), Fern Davies* (Warrington Wolves), Carys Marsh (Wigan Warriors).
England (from): Caroline Collie* (Bedford Tigers), Bethan Oates* (Huddersfield Giants), Dannielle Anderson, Keara Bennett, Fran Goldthorp, Georgia Roche, Courtney Winfield-Hill* (all Leeds Rhinos), Leah Burke, Jodie Cunningham, Amy Hardcastle, Zoe Harris*, Shona Hoyle, Emily Rudge, Paige Travis, Vicky Whitfield (all St Helens), Georgia Wilson (Wigan Warriors), Hollie Dodd, Grace Field, Tara Stanley, Olivia Wood* (all York City Knights)
* Potential new caps