By Hannah Blackwell
Hannah Jones will captain Wales and win her 50th cap against Canada in the inaugural WXV1 clash at Sky Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday.
Jones was called into the Wales senior squad at the age of 15 and made her full Test debut at 16 in the 39-3 win against Scotland back in 2015.
Centre Jones, 26, will link up with Kerin Lake, who also played against Scotland eight years ago, in an experienced Welsh midfield in the opening game.
https://twitter.com/BBCSportWales/status/1714616063386865900?s=20
Head coach Ioan Cunningham has selected the same starting line-up that recorded a first win over the USA in September.
The experienced Carys Williams-Morris comes onto the bench against a Canada side ranked number four in the world, two places above Wales in the world rankings.
Wales came into the WXV1 with a resounding 38-18 victory over the USA at the Stadiwm CSM in Colwyn Bay before they headed out to New Zealand.
https://twitter.com/BBCSportWales/status/1714525466525118485?s=20
Cunningham, said: “We have rewarded the starting line-up that performed so well and produced a historic first victory over the USA in Colwyn Bay back in September.
“Carys Williams-Morris comes into squad and will bring her experience and we are confident she will have a major impact off the bench. We are excited for the opening game of the WXV1 and are raring to go and to see where we are against one of the best sides in the world.
“Canada ran England close in a recent Test match and we know they are physical side, but we have worked hard during our preparation for this tournament and are looking forward to the challenge at the ‘Cake Tin’ on Saturday.
“Hannah Jones will captain the side and win her 50th cap for her country and we all know this is a special occasion for her, her family and for all the squad. She made her Wales debut as a 16-year-old and her leadership qualities, on and off the field, is why she is so respected throughout the game.”
https://twitter.com/BBCSportWales/status/1714280108469743790?s=20
Wales Women vs Canada, Sky Stadium, Wellington, Saturday, October 21st. (KO: 4pm local time)
15. Jasmine Joyce
14. Lisa Neumann
13. Hannah Jones (captain)
12. Kerin Lake.
11. Carys Cox
10. Robyn Wilkins
9. Keira Bevan;
1. Gwenllian Pyrs
2. Carys Phillips
3. Sisilia Tuipulotu
4. Abbie Fleming
5. Georgia Evans
6. Alisha Butchers
7. Alex Callender
8. Bethan Lewis (VC)
Replacements:
16. Kelsey Jones
17. Abbey Constable
18. Donna Rose
19. Kate Williams
20. Sioned Harries
21. Meg Davies
22. Lleucu George
23. Carys Williams-Morris
Wales WXV Fixtures
Canada v Wales, Saturday, October 21st, Sky Stadium, Wellington (KO: 4pm local time)
New Zealand v Wales, Saturday, 28th, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin (KO: 4pm local time)
Australia v Wales, Friday, November 3rd, Go Media Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland (KO: 7pm local time)
https://twitter.com/BBCSportWales/status/1714314073947480458?s=20
