Warriors Women have made two changes for tomorrow’s Allianz Premier 15s trip to Gloucester-Hartpury as Jo Yapp’s side look to build on their hard-fought victory over Sale Sharks (kick-off 2.30pm, live streamed).
Experienced Wales international Caryl Thomas packs down at loosehead, while fellow compatriot Alex Callender occupies the openside flanker berth.
Both players came off the bench during Warriors’ stunning second half display at home to Sale less than a fortnight ago in which the Sixways outfit overturned a 21-12 half-time deficit to win the game 31-21, teeing things up nicely for the month of March.
Warriors have back-to-back games against Gloucester-Hartpury and Bristol Bears this month, before ending the campaign against Harlequins and Saracens in April with much to play for.
“It’s a local derby and one which we’re looking forward to,” said Warriors Women Director of Rugby Jo Yapp.
“It was a competitive fixture against them in the reverse fixture when they came here back in December and I’m expecting it to be the same this weekend.
“We’ve had a really good week of training and we were really fortunate to go across the road to Worcester RFC and train on their grass pitch in preparation for playing Gloucester-Hartpury on grass.
“That was great and we’re really thankful to them for allowing us to use their pitch.
“We’ve got two really big weeks ahead with Gloucester-Hartpury first, followed by Bristol and they are games that we really want to challenge for.”
Warriors Women | 15 Carys Cox, 14 Paige Farries, 13 Jade Shekells, 12 Meg Varley, 11 Vicky Laflin, 10 Sarah Nicholas, 9 Caity Mattinson, 1 Caryl Thomas, 2 Carys Phillips (c), 3 Flo Long, 4 Cara Brincat, 5 Amelia Buckland Hurry, 6 Taz Bricknell, 7 Alex Callender, 8 Alex Matthews
Replacements | 16 Carmen Tremelling, 17 Abby Smitheman, 18 Abi Castle, 19 Elizabeth Shermer, 20 Sara Moreira, 21 Sioned Harries, 22 Brooke Bradley, 23 Lowri Williams