By Hannah Blackwell
Jenny Hesketh will make her debut at full-back against Scotland on Saturday when Wales start their Women’s Guinness Six Nations campaign.
Wales scrum half Sian Jones is poised to do the same off the replacements bench if she gets on the field at Cardiff Arms Park.
Former England Under-20s captain Hesketh was called into the squad in February and qualifies through her Welsh mother.
Nel Metcalfe will make her Six Nations debut on the wing, while GB Sevens star Jasmine Joyce returns after being away on sevens duty.
Alex Stewart will make her Scotland debut at flanker, while Scotland also have three GB Sevens players in their match day squad.
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Rhona Lloyd starts on the wing, Lisa Thomson at centre and Shona Campbell on the bench.
Wales coach Ioan Cunningham said: “Jenny Hesketh has impressed on and off the field, since she joined up with us and fully deserves to make her Wales debut.
“Sian Jones was one of the standout players in the Celtic Challenge and we know how much she is looking forward to pulling on the red jersey and representing her country.”
Lock Natalia John returns to the starting line-up after missing out on Wales’ WXV1 campaign in New Zealand in the autumn.
Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu make up the Wales front row, with Abbie Fleming partnering John in the engine room. Alisha Butchers and Bethan Lewis join Callender in the back row.
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Centre Hannah Jones will captain the side with flanker Alex Callender as vice-captain.
Experienced scrum half Keira Bevan and fly half Lleucu George will lead the team from half back while centre Kerin Lake is reunited with skipper Jones in the Welsh midfield.
Wing Metcalfe and the experienced Joyce form an exciting back three with Hesketh.
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Cunningham added: “There was much debate around this selection and that demonstrates the strength in depth we are now building in the squad.
“The players have been working really hard and pushing each other since we have been in camp, and we are looking forward to the challenge of Scotland in Cardiff.
“Test matches against Scotland have traditionally been close and tight affairs and we are expecting the same on Saturday.
“It’s great to see Natalia John back and all of us know how hard she has worked to get back in the side after being sidelined since the last Six Nations campaign.
“Her resilience has been an inspiration to all of the squad, coaches and staff.
“The support of the Welsh public proved key when we are at the Arms Park during last season’s campaign and all the players are excited to be back in the Welsh capital.”
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Wales team to face Scotland:
15 Jenny Hesketh
14 Jasmine Joyce
13 Hannah Jones (capt)
12 Kerin Lake
11 Nel Metcalfe
10 Lleucu George
9 Keira Bevan;
1 Gwenllian Pyrs
2 Kelsey Jones
3 Sisilia Tuipulotu
4 Natalia John
5 Abbie Fleming
6 Alisha Butchers
7 Alex Callender (vice-captain)
8 Bethan Lewis.
Replacements:
16 Carys Phillips
17 Abbey Constable
18 Donna Rose
19 Georgia Evans
20 Kate Williams
21 Sian Jones
22 Niamh Terry
23 Carys Cox
