Canada wing Paige Farries will make her Allianz Premier 15s bow against Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park tomorrow as Warriors Women return to action following the international break (kick-off 2.30pm).
Capped ten times by her country, the 25-year-old is one of the brightest talents in North America and is one of four changes to the side that played against Wasps a fortnight ago.
Experienced Wales international Robyn Wilkins comes in at fly-half, while there are also starts for her fellow compatriot Sioned Harries at number-eight and former England Under-18 representative Flo Long at loose-head prop.
Fresh from helping the Red Roses seal the 2020 Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam, Alex Matthews partners Amelia Buckland Hurry in the engine room.
“We know that it is going to be a tough challenge down at Exeter as they have brought in a lot of internationals and they have a lot of local talent,” said Warriors Women Director of Rugby Jo Yapp.
“It’s a big rugby community down there and they are very proud, so we know that it is going to be a real test for us.
“We’ve been focussing on the things that we can put right since our last game and we’ve worked on those aspects of our game over the past two weeks.”
Warriors sit just three points outside of the top four having picked up a try bonus point at Saracens coupled with a comprehensive 58-5 victory at DMP Durham Sharks.
“We’ve got a really competitive squad and we’ve had a good couple of training sessions this week,” added Yapp.
“A number of the girls have put their hand up for selection which is brilliant to see and it brings out that competitive edge.”
Warriors Women | 15 Abi Kershaw, 14 Lydia Thompson, 13 Vicky Foxwell, 12 Jade Shekells, 11 Paige Farries, 10 Robyn Wilkins, 9 Caity Mattinson, 1 Flo Long, 2 Carys Phillips, 3 Laura Keates (c), 4 Alex Matthews, 5 Amelia Buckland Hurry, 6 Taz Bricknell, 7 Alex Callender, 8 Sioned Harries
Replacements | 16 El Febrey, 17 Carmen Tremelling, 18 Elizabeth Shermer, 19 Philippa Rawbone, 20 Cara Brincat, 21 Megan Varley, 22 Vicky Laflin, 23 Lowri Williams