Australia lock Bec Clough will make her debut for Valkyries in their Tyrrells Premier 15s match against Firwood Waterloo at Sixways on Saturday (kick-off 2.00pm).
Clough joined Valkyries earlier this week and her arrival at Sixways has given the side a lift as they go in search of their first-ever win in the competition.
“It’s a game that we would expect to be competitive in. Obviously we aim to be that in all or games but, looking at the league positions, they are a bit closer to us than some of the sides we have played,” said Valkyries’ Director of Rugby Roy Davies.
“We played them last year and got a draw up at their place and they did a job on us when we were at home. I think it’s a game we have got to be positive about.
“Bec Clough will play on Saturday. She is a player with a lot of experience. She has already shown a lot of experience in the short time she has been here and we are very excited to have her here.
“We are quite a young side so to have the international experience of someone who has been there and done it at the top end of the game is something that we can use to build confidence.”
Valkyries will be without winger Lydia Thompson and hooker and captain Lark Davies who are playing for England against Ireland at Twickenham.
Loosehead prop Akina Gondwe returns to club action having played for England National Academy against Canada A in midweek.
Valkyries
15 Carys Cox
14 Josie Symonds
13 Vicky Foxwell
12 Megan Varley (C)
11 Vicky Laflin
10 Sian Moore
9 Brooke Bradley
1 Akina Gondwe
2 Carmen Tremelling
3 Lauren Leatherland
4 Bec Clough
5 Stacey Maguire
6 Sarah Bill
7 Charlie Wilcock
8 Zoe Bennion
Replacements
16 Alicia Watkins
17 Tara Wheeldon
18 Tilly Churm
19 Lyndsay O’Donnell
20 Ally Taft
21 Rebecca Scholes
22 Jasmine Gibbons