Warriors Women Director of Rugby Jo Yapp is pleased with her side’s preparation as they welcome Sale Sharks Women to Sixways in the Allianz Premier 15s on Sunday (kick-off 2pm).
Yapp’s side have three games this month starting with Sale this weekend, before a trip to sixth place Gloucester-Hartpury and then Bristol Bears on March 27, who they beat in the reverse fixture back in December.
“Last weekend’s trip to Loughborough Lightning was a tough game and the girls worked exceptionally hard, so there was a little fatigue afterwards,” said Yapp.
“However, the girls came back into full training on Tuesday and had a really tough and physical session, which has set us up nicely for the week.
“We’re in a good place going into the weekend.”
Experienced Wales back-row Sioned Harries returns to the pack from the off, having being among the replacements at Lightning and is the only change as Warriors eye momentum going into the business end of the campaign.
Carys Cox retains her place at full-back as she goes from strength-to-strength following her injury lay-off, while wings Paige Farries and Vicky Laflin make up the back three.
Jade Shekells and Heather Fisher continue to adapt to one an other’s game in the centres and scrum-half Caity Mattinson partners Sarah Nicholas at the heart of the backline.
Skipper Carys Phillips packs down either side of Carmen Tremelling and Flo Long at hooker, with Cara Brincat and Amelia Buckland Hurry providing the gas in the engine room. Alex Matthews and Taz Bricknell occupy the blindside and openside flanker berths respectively, with Harries getting the nod at number-eight.
Warriors Women | 15 Carys Cox, 14 Paige Farries, 13 Jade Shekells, 12 Heather Fisher, 11 Vicky Laflin, 10 Sarah Nicholas, 9 Caity Mattinson, 1 Carmen Tremelling, 2 Carys Phillips (c), 3 Flo Long, 4 Cara Brincat, 5 Amelia Buckland Hurry, 6 Alex Matthews, 7 Taz Bricknell, 8 Sioned Harries
Replacements | 16 Abby Smitheman, 17 Caryl Thomas, 18 Elizabeth Shermer, 19 Sara Moreira, 20 Alex Callender, 21 Brooke Bradley, 22 Meg Varley, 23 Abi Kershaw