ROWLAND Phillips has named his Wales team ahead of their Six Nations opener against Italy on Saturday.
Wales women travel to Ancona this weekend hoping to avenge a 16-12 home defeat by the Azzurre in last season’s competition.
The women finished fourth in last season’s tournament with two wins under previous boss Rhys Edwards, but since Phillips’ introduction in the autumn, the team are on a four-match winning streak.
Most of Phillips’ squad of 23 featured heavily over the autumn and the coach is optimistic that the good form will continue.
“There is consistency, but the players are aware there is strong competition for places,” he said.
“Their performances are driven by that. They’ve been rewarded for continuing to push themselves to keep hold of their jerseys.”
Sian Williams, Wales’ first ever professional female rugby player, is not in the squad, but Phillips believes the pack will cope without her.
Phillips said: “The back row in any country or age group is always going to be the most competitive.
“I met with Sian and it wasn’t a case of ‘not good enough, bye,’ it was a case of wanting to work on things.
“She’s very focused and determined and I’m convinced she is going to deliver the things we are asking for.
“The players are already selected. It’s our responsibility as coaches to develop everyone in this environment and the harder the selection, the greater the testament to the quality of the group.”
Phillips’ chosen back row includes Scarlets flankers Sioned Harris and Rachel Taylor, while Shona Powell-Hughes of the Ospreys starts at No 8.
The starting 15 is made up of eight Ospreys, five Scarlets and two Newport Gwent Dragons players.
- Italy v Wales kicks off at 2pm on Saturday.
Wales team to play Italy: 15 Dyddgu Hywel (Scarlets), 14 Elen Evans (Scarlets), Kerin Lake (Ospreys), 12 Robyn Wilkins (Ospreys), 11 Adi Taviner (Ospreys), 10 Elinor Snowsill (Dragons), 9 Keira Bevan (Ospreys); 1 Caryl Thomas (Scarlets), 2 Carys Phillips (capt) (Ospreys), 3 Amy Evans (Ospreys), 4 Rebecca Rowe (Dragons), 5 Mel Clay (Ospreys), 6 Sioned Harries (Scarlets), 7 Rachel Taylor (Scarlets), 8 Shona Powell-Hughes (Ospreys)
Replacements: 16 Lowri Harries (Scarlets), 17 Cerys Hale (Dragons), 18 Gwenllian Pyrs (Scarlets), 19 Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys), 20 Alisha Butchers (Scarlets), 21 Sian Moore (Dragons), 22 Gemma Rowland (Dragons), 23 Jessica Kavanagh-Williams (Scarlets)
