Wales Women head coach Ioan Cunningham has named an experienced side to face Japan on Sunday with 9 Ospreys Women in the mix (Cardiff Arms Park, 5pm).
Scrum-half Keira Bevan partners regional teammate Elinor Snowsill at half back in her first international appearance since facing England in March 2020. Kerin Lake lines up in the centre with Courtney Keight on the wing. Natalia John and Gwen Crabb from the second-row with Siwan Lillicrap leading the side as Captain.
Off the bench Carys Phillips returns to the International stage alongside Ospreys tighthead Cara Hope.
Cunningham said, “As coaches we had a tough selection process, with competition for places very high. The whole squad performed well against the Black Ferns but we feel this group will give us the best opportunity to get a good performance and result. We also want to see some combinations especially with Richard Whiffin and I new in our roles.
“Kat (Evans) fully deserves her starting berth. She has a very high work rate and brings added physicality to the pack. Apart from Kat, we have a fairly experienced spine of the team with a number of leaders who are gaining experience on and off the field. Elinor and Keira are playing well together for Bristol and we are excited with the options the back three will bring. We have flexibility in our options in the back five with Georgia and Siwan able to cover second row and two back row players on the bench.
“Our priority is to ensure we do the basics right, and then we can look to get the ball out wide to play some attacking rugby.
“We are all looking forward to welcoming a crowd back to the Arms Park and produce a performance to shout about.”
Tickets for the game are available via www.wru.wales/waleswomen
Wales Women v Japan:
15. Jasmine Joyce
14. Lisa Neumann
13. Hannah Jones
12. Kerin Lake
11. Courtney Keight
10. Elinor Snowsill
9. Keira Bevan
1. Caryl Thomas
2. Kat Evans
3. Donna Rose
4. Natalia John
5. Gwen Crabb
6. Georgia Evans
7. Bethan Lewis
8.Siwan Lillicrap (C)
16. Carys Phillips
17. Cara Hope
18. Cerys Hale
19. Alex Callender
20. Alisha Butchers
21. Ffion Lewis
22. Robyn Wilkins
23. Megan Webb