Ahead of the international season, the Wales Women coaches, in conjunction with the regional community teams, will run a pre-season training and playing programme to underpin the international game.
Registration for the Women’s Regional programme is now open for what Wales head coach, Rowland Phillips, insists is the best possible way to prepare for regional and international rugby: “I would encourage any player with aspirations of playing senior regional rugby, and ambitions to represent Wales Women to sign up for the programme.
“Not only did the programme benefit us nationally, it helped all participating players – in terms of fitness, skills and tactical abilities.
“We would encourage all players who have progressed through the under 18 pathway to put their names down along with club players either in Wales or Welsh qualified players from outside Wales who haven’t been part of the programme previously."
Pre-season starts next month with an intensive conditioning and skills programme run by national and regional coaches and managed by the regional community teams. Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, RGC and Scarlets will then play each other in the regional championship over three weekends in August, while there will be a development playing programme in place for the Dragons region.
Phillips added: “As coaches we have identified a number of talented players coming through the Dragons U18 pathway but without a Premiership club in the region currently to sustain a competitive player base, we feel it’s important to run a transition programme this season to develop those players for the future. Where appropriate, senior Dragons players will be invited to play for another region for this season only.”
To register for the women's regional programme, please click here CLICK HERE
Earlier this week, Wales Women confirmed a trio of autumn fixtures, where they will take on Spain, Welsh Crawshay's and the Barbarians, in an historic double-header occasion alongside the men's sides at Principality Stadium.
Confirmed Wales Women November fixtures (times, venues and ticket info to be confirmed unless stated):
Spain v Wales Saturday 2 November
Wales v Crawshay’s Saturday 23 November
Wales v Barbarians Saturday 30 November (Principality Stadium)