Ireland fly-half Ellen Murphy will make her Warriors debut when Jo Yapp’s charges take on Wasps Women at Twyford Avenue in Round 3 of the Allianz Premier 15s tomorrow (kick-off 2pm).
The 26-year-old, who is part of an Ireland set-up looking to qualify for next year’s rescheduled World Cup in New Zealand, is one of two changes to the side that secured a try bonus-point at home to Harlequins last week.
Vicky Laflin is handed her first start of the campaign, the lightning-quick wing part of an exciting back three in the shape of Carys Cox and Abi Kershaw.
Japan international Minori Ymamoto switches to inside centre alongside Vicky Foxwell, while the pack, which includes the impressive Alycia Washington, is unchanged for the third successive match.
Alex Matthews is among the replacements following her exploits with Team GB 7s at the Tokyo Olympics this summer and Cara Brincat will also make her return from the bench.
“We’ve spent a lot of time on looking at areas in which we can improve on after last week’s defeat against Harlequins and the girls have responded really well,” said Jo Yapp, Warriors Women Director of Rugby.
“We were really pleased to get the five tries and of course you need to highlight that to the players – it’s important to remember that they’re not full-time athletes and they are absolutely trying their best.
“However, as a side we want to get better and there were areas that we were disappointed with last week, but we worked hard to correct them this week.
“Wasps are a team, who like throw the ball around and they also have players who are very direct, so we know that they’re going to be an organised side and we’re looking forward to the trip down to London.”
Warriors Women | 15 Carys Cox, 14 Abi Kershaw, 13 Vicky Foxwell, 12 Minori Yamamoto, 11 Vicky Laflin, 10 Ellen Murphy, 9 Caity Mattinson ©, 1 Akina Gondwe, 2 Carys Phillips, 3 Flo Long, 4 Elizabeth Shermer, 5 Alycia Washington, 6 Jo Brown, 7 Alex Callender, 8 Sioned Harries (vc)
Replacements | 16 Carmen Tremelling, 17 Caryl Thomas, 18 Abby Smitheman, 19 Lyndsay O’Donnell, 20 Cara Brincat, 21 Alex Matthews, 22 Ffion Lewis, 23 Cat McNaney