Wales have made six changes to the starting XV for the Women’s Rugby World Cup seventh-place play-off against Ireland at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday (14:00).
Two of the changes are positional: Elinor Snowsill goes from fly-half to fullback, allowing Robyn Wilkins her first tournament start at number ten, and Elen Evans moves from left to right wing as Jasmine Joyce returns to the side.
The two other changes see Keira Bevan starting at scrum-half and Siwan Lillicrap coming into the second row. Injuries to Rebecca Rowe and Dyddgu Hywel have ruled the pair out of the match.
There is a place on the bench for India Berbillion, the 18-year-old Dragons playmaker from Church Village who could make her international debut.
Berbillion is one of three talented teenagers among the Welsh replacements, with hooker Kelsey Jones (19) and back row Lleucu George (17) also included.
“There’s huge motivation among this team to finish the tournament on a high,” says head coach Rowland Phillips. “We’ve seen a lot of development among the squad, which is gratifying as we look ahead to next year’s Women’s Six Nations and the next Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“We can take inspiration from our first two performances in the pool stage where we troubled two of the best sides in the world in New Zealand and Canada. Equally, we’ll learn important lessons from our second meeting with Canada where a lot of things didn’t go right for us.
“The inclusion of India, Kelsey and Lleucu in the squad is a good indication of the quality of players we have coming through the U18 system, working closely with the regions and clubs.
“We’ve had one eye on the future during this whole process, and the fact that these youngsters been able to be around highly experienced players such as Rachel Taylor and Elen Evans, individuals whose approach to the game is exceptional, is fantastic.”
Wales team to face Ireland
15 Elinor Snowsill (Dragons)
14 Elen Evans (RGC)
13 Gemma Rowland (Dragons)
12 Hannah Jones (Scarlets)
11 Jasmine Joyce (Scarlets)
10 Robyn Wilkins (Ospreys)
9 Keira Bevan (Ospreys)
1 Caryl Thomas (Scarlets)
2 Carys Phillips (c) (Ospreys)
3 Amy Evans (Ospreys)
4 Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys)
5 Mel Clay (Ospreys)
6 Alisha Butchers (Scarlets)
7 Rachel Taylor (RGC)
8 Sioned Harries (Scarlets)
Replacements
16 Kelsey Jones (Ospreys)
17 Gwenllian Pyrs (RGC)
18 Cerys Hale (Dragons)
19 Shona Powell-Hughes (Ospreys)
20 Lleucu George (Scarlets)
21 Sian Moore (Dragons)
22 India Berbillion (Dragons)
23 Jodie Evans (Dragons)
