Seven Cardiff Blues players have been selected for Wales’ upcoming Women’s Six Nations campaign.
This will be the first campaign under the guidance of new head coach Warren Abrahams, who has named three uncapped players in his squad.
A shortened format sees Wales travel to Vannes to take on France on Saturday, April 3, before hosting Ireland at Cardiff Arms Park the following weekend. Details of Wales’ third and final fixture of the competition will be confirmed at a later date.
While there has been no regional games this season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of Welsh players have featured in the Allianz Premier 15s competition in recent months, while also taking part in training camps with the international squad.
Wales’ clash in France will be their first since taking on England in March 2020, after their autumn clash against Scotland was cancelled.
Playmaker Robyn Wilkins will have her eyes set on hitting a half century of caps during the campaign, as she currently sits on 48 appearances on the international stage. She is joined in the backs division by club team-mate, Megan Webb.
Wales are boosted by the return of the experienced back row Shona Powell-Hughes, who is one of five Cardiff Blues forwards involved.
Cerys Hale, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans and Manon Johnes complete Cardiff’s contingent in the 32-woman squad.
Wales Women Six Nations squad:
Forwards: Cara Hope, Caryl Thomas, Cerys Hale, Donna Rose, Gwenllian Jenkins, Kelsey Jones, Molly Kelly, Robyn Lock, Abbie Fleming, Gwen Crabb, Natalia John, Teleri Wyn Davies, Bethan Dainton, Georgia Evans, Manon Johnes, Shona Powell-Hughes, Siwan Lillicrap (Capt)
Backs: Jade Knight, Jess Roberts, Keira Bevan, Elinor Snowsill, Flo Williams, Gemma Rowland, Hannah Jones, Kerin Lake, Megan Webb, Caitlin Lewis, Courtney Keight, Jasmine Joyce, Lisa Neumann, Niamh Terry, Robyn Wilkins
Wales Women Six Nations fixtures:
France v Wales Sat 3 April, Stade de la Rabine, Vannes
Wales v Ireland Sat 10 April Cardiff Arms Park
Final fixture weekend of 24 April, details tbc