9 Ospreys Women named in Wales side

Wales women have named 9 Ospreys in their side to face Scotland at Scotstoun on Friday (7.40pm).

Ospreys fullback Lauren Smyth returns to the starting lineup, with scrum-half Keira Bevan completing the regions contingent in the backs.

Up front the forwards are unchanged, with Amy Evans packs down alongside Wales and Ospreys captain Carys Phillips. Gwen Crabb and Mel Clay partner up in the second-row with Siwan Lillicrap taking the number 8 jersey.

Kelsey Jones and Cara Hope are named on the bench.

Phillips said, “We’ve been able to take positives from all three games so far in the tournament, despite the disappointing results. Now we need to build on our strengths and make further progress in other areas to produce an improved performance all round against Scotland.

“Our defence has been good as has our set-piece, and we showed against England that we can produce good attacking play too when we get the ball.

“Historically, there’s not much between Wales and Scotland, it will be like a cup final for both of us. Scotland are a good side and had a positive autumn campaign so they will be disappointed by the start of their Six Nations.

“We have to concentrate on ourselves. We have confidence in our processes, we know we have the talent in our squad and if we show what we are capable of, the results will come”.

Wales Women v Scotland (Friday 8 March, 7.40pm, Scotstoun, Glasgow, BBC Two Wales / BBC Alba):

Lauren Smyth (Ospreys); Jasmine Joyce (Scarlets), Hannah Jones (Scarlets), Lleucu George (Scarlets), Jess Kavanagh (RGC); Robyn Wilkins (Blues), Keira Bevan (Ospreys); Caryl Thomas (Dragons), Carys Phillips (capt, Ospreys), Amy Evans (Ospreys), Gwen Crabb (Ospreys), Mel Clay (Ospreys), Alex Callender (Scarlets), Bethan Lewis (Dragons) Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys)

 

Replacements: Kelsey Jones (Ospreys), Cara Hope (Ospreys), Cerys Hale (Dragons), Alisha Butchers (Scarlets), Manon Johnes (Cardiff Blues), Ffion Lewis (Scarlets), Lisa Neumann (RGC); Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Bears)

 

Wales’ final match of the Women’s Six Nations is against Ireland at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday 17 March (1.30pm). Tickets are available from Cardiff Blues Box Office