PWR players dominate Wales side to take on France

Head coach Sean Lynn has named the Wales side to face France in Round 3 of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign at Stade Amedee-Domenech, Brive-La-Gaillarde on Saturday, April 12th (KO: 12:45pm).

Wales have made one change to the starting line-up that faced England in front of a record crowd of 21,186 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff at the end of March.

Centre Hannah Jones captains the Wales side that travels to France to face a La Bleue side ranked number four in the world rankings. Kayleigh Powell starts at fly-half, with Lleucu George ruled out with an ankle injury.

Skipper Jones partners Courtney Keight in midfield, with vice-captain Keira Bevan at scrum-half.

Triple GB Olympian Jasmine Joyce-Butchers (above) is at full-back, with wings Carys Cox and Lisa Neumann making up an attacking back three.

Props Gwenllian Pyrs and Jenni Scoble anchor the scrum with the experienced Carys Phillips at hooker.

Abbie Fleming and Gwen Crabb are selected at second row in the Welsh engine room, with Kate Williams and Bethan Lewis at flanker and Georgia Evans at Number 8.

France have won their opening two games in the campaign so far, while Wales’ last win over France was a 10-8 victory in Neath back in 2016.

Three of the starting line-up – skipper Jones, scrum-half Bevan and hooker Phillips – were part of the Wales team that recorded the famous win at the Gnoll nine years ago.

Fly half Lleucu George (ankle) and flankers Alex Callender (foot) and Alisha Butchers (virus) were unavailable for selection.

Lynn, said: “These players deserve another opportunity to represent the Wales family against one of the best sides in the world and we know we face a Test match in front of a hostile crowd in France.

“The players, coaches and staff have put the fallow week to good use and worked hard to improve and hone our game.

“We have had a good look at the learnings from the England game and we know we can do better.

“Some aspects of our performance against England were not good enough and we are determined to put that right out in France.

“It’s about getting those small wins and to keep building our performances so that we keep improving as a squad.

“We know France are a world class outfit, but this is Test match rugby, and we have to challenge ourselves to match them.”

Wales side (v France)

Jasmine Joyce Butchers (Bristol Bears), Lisa Neumann (Harlequins), Hannah Jones ( Captain, Gloucester/Hartpury), Courtney Keight (Bristol Bears), Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders), Kayleigh Powell (Harlequins) Keira Bevan (Vice-captain, Bristol Bears); Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks), Carys Phillips (Harlequins), Jenni Scoble (Gwalia Lightning), Abbie Fleming (Harlequins), Gwen Crabb (Gloucester Hartpury), Kate Williams (Gloucester/Hartpury), Bethan Lewis (Gloucester Hartpury), Georgia Evans (Saracens).

Replacements: Kelsey Jones (Gloucester Hartpury), Maisie Davies (Gwalia Lightning), Donna Rose (Saracens), Natalia John (Brython Thunder), Alaw Pyrs (Gwalia Lightning), Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning), Sian Jones (Gloucester Hartpury), Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester Hartpury).