Carys Phillips and Caryl Thomas have been named in Wales’ training squad ahead of the rescheduled Women’s Six Nations in April.
Phillips and Thomas have been in fine form for Warriors Women this term, both impressing in the narrow loss at home to Exeter Chiefs earlier this month.
Wales will travel to France on the weekend of April 3, host Ireland the following weekend and contest a third ‘play-off’ match on the weekend of April 24 in a format like the Autumn Nations Cup.
Wales Head Coach Warren Abrahams believes his side is in the best shape possible five weeks out from their opening game.
“We all feel incredibly lucky to be working towards some competitive Six Nations matches,” said Abrahams.
“We are pushing ourselves as a management team and we are squeezing every drop out of our weekly coaching sessions and other ways we can grow as a squad.
“Every team has had to re-evaluate following the effects of the pandemic on sport and I believe the teams that come out best after all this will be the ones who are best equipped to adapt to the different pressures and challenges.”
Pinpointing the Allianz Premier 15s as a competition in which a string of players have risen to prominence, Abrahams added: “It is fantastic to watch the contribution our players are making to their Allianz Premier 15s clubs. They are benefitting from top quality coaching and game time and we are grateful for that too.”
Wales Women training squad
Forwards: Laura Bleehen, Abbie Fleming, Alisha Butchers, Gwen Crabb, Bethan Dainton, Georgia Evans, Cerys Hale, Cara Hope, Mel Howley, Molly Kelly, Gwenllian Jenkins, Natalia John, Manon Johnes, Madi Johns, Kelsey Jones, Beth Lewis, Siwan Lillicrap, Robyn Lock, Carys Phillips, Shona Powell-Hughes, Donna Rose, Caryl Thomas, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Teleri Wyn Davies
Backs: Keira Bevan, Megan Davies, Alecs Donovan, Lleucu George, Beth Huntley, Bryonie King, Courtney Keight, Jade Knight, Kerin Lake, Caitlin Lewis, Ffion Lewis, Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones, Jasmine Joyce, Kayleigh Powell, Paige Randall, Jess Roberts, Gemma Rowland, Lauren Smyth, Elinor Snowsill, Niamh Terry, Meg Webb, Robyn Wilkins, Flo Williams
2021 WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS
Pool A: England – Italy – Scotland
Pool B: France – Ireland – Wales