Nine Cardiff Blues representatives have been selected in the Wales Women Emerging squad for the upcoming Test against England under-18 Talent Development Group.
The sides will go head-to-head at Principality Stadium on Tuesday, 30 April (KO 6.00pm) with four players having featured in the Six Nations squad earlier this year.
One of those is 17-year-old back row, Manon Johnes, who is joined by five Cardiff Blues forwards in the squad - Amie Turner, Bryonie King, Catrin Jones, Ffion Owen and Madi Johns.
Three backs from Wales' Capital Region are also named in the form of Beth Huntley, Megan Davies and Megan Webb.
The coaching team, led by Rowland Phillips, consists of Gareth Wyatt, Hugh Gustafson, Jamie Solace and Wales senior number eight, Sioned Harries.
“Everything we do involves planning for the future and developing players for international rugby,” said Phillips.
“Manon (Johnes), Alex (Callender) and Lauren (Smyth) were involved in this programme this time last year, Manon and Alex playing and Lauren missing out on the game through injury. All three have gone on to shine for Wales this season.
“Caitlyn (Lewis) and Molly (Kelly) were part of our Six Nations squad and Caitlin, Celyn Lazenby, Ellie Morgan and Megan Webb have been involved with the Wales Women Sevens programme so these next few weeks will enable us to keep working with this group of players.
“We will be looking to see if any of these players can step up and be part of our Wales squad as we build towards the 2021 Rugby World Cup – and looking further ahead I’m sure many of them will be involved when it comes to the 2025 competition.
“There is plenty of female talent in Wales, we saw that with the U18 programme which helped prepare the players for a higher intensity of training and playing.
“It will be another step up for them to play an England squad at Principality Stadium and that can only be a good thing.”
Wales Women Emerging squad v England U18 Talent Development Group (Tuesday 30 April, 6pm, Principality Stadium – free entry for all as part of Road to Principality Series):
Forwards:
Amie Turner
Bryonie King
Catrin Jones
Ffion Owen
Madi Johns
Manon Johnes
(all Cardiff Blues)
Chloe Fletcher
Ellie Morgan
Gwenllian Jenkins
Hatty Davies
Molly James
(all Scarlets)
Jade Thomas
Jaya White
Melissa Gnojek
(all Ospreys)
Mali Quaeck
Molly Kelly
Victoria Redman
(all RGC)
Backs:
Beth Huntley
Megan Davies
Megan Webb
(all Cardiff Blues)
Catherine Richards
Chelsea Jones
Hannah Powell
Tygan Pinch
(all Dragons)
Caitlin Lewis
Celyn Lazenby
Darcy Thomas
Ellie Tromans
Mabli Davies
Rosie Davies
(all Scarlets)
Anwen Owen
Lauren Smyth
Niamh Terry
(all Ospreys)
Mali Jones (RGC)