Scotland hooker Lana Skeldon will make her full debut for Warriors Women when they kick-off their Allianz Cup campaign against Saracens at Sixways on Sunday (kick-off 2pm).
Skeldon, who celebrated her 28th birthday last week, came off the bench during Warriors’ heroic Premier 15s victory at Loughborough Lightning earlier this month and packs down alongside fellow front-rows Carmen Tremelling and captain for the day Akina Gondwe.
Amelia Buckland Hurry makes a welcome return to the starting line-up following a lengthy injury spell, and she partners Centre of Excellence graduate Jemima Moss in the engine room.
Moss, a former King’s School pupil, made her senior debut last year and was a try-scorer against Harlequins in Round 2 of the Premier 15s this season when she powered her way to the line.
Cara Brincat, Charlotte Wright Haley and Sioned Harries make up the back-row.
Scrum-half Jess Kershaw, who is on loan from Worcester RFC, partners Ireland fly-half Ellen Murphy at the heart of Warriors’ backline, with Meg Varley and the in form Carys Cox starting at inside and outside centre respectively.
Cat McNaney and Vicky Laflin get the nod on either wing, with talented Welsh native Lowri Williams making her first start of the season at full-back.
“We’re really excited for the game on Sunday as it is a big opportunity for players to pull on the shirt, whether it is those who are starting their first match or players who are returning from injury,” said Director of Rugby Jo Yapp.
“We’ve got Lana making her first start and Amelia returns for us, which is fantastic to see after having a really tough time with injury and illness.
“It was great to go into the break with a win and since then there has been a focus for us on the breakdown, especially around the attacking breakdown and trying to speed things up.”
The Allianz Cup was introduced to the women’s rugby calendar for the 2021/22 season, allowing more squad players to gain valuable game time during the international window. Made of two pools, determined by the standings at the end of last season, there are five teams in each with the top two teams progressing to the semi-finals on 16 April.
Warriors are in Pool B alongside Sunday’s opponents Saracens, Loughborough Lightning, Exeter Chiefs and Sale Sharks.
Tickets for Sunday’s game are available by clicking here, with Season Ticket Holders gaining free entry. The Brasserie is also open, which includes a three-course meal, balcony seats and a match ticket – the perfect way to spend your Sunday. You can book your place by clicking here.
Warriors Women | 15 Lowri Williams, 14 Vicky Laflin, 13 Carys Cox, 12 Meg Varley, 11 Cat McNaney, 10 Ellen Murphy, 9 Jess Kershaw, 1 Akina Gondwe ©, 2 Lana Skeldon, 3 Carmen Tremelling, 4 Jemima Moss, 5 Amelia Buckland Hurry, 6 Cara Brincat, 7 Charlotte Wright Haley, 8 Sioned Harries
Replacements | 16 Abby Smitheman, 17 Stef Evans, 18 Lyndsay O’Donnell, 19 Jo Brown, 20 Sara Moreira, 21 Abi Kershaw, 22 Minori Yamamoto, 23 Vicky Foxwell