Ffion Lewis and Carys Phillips start their first Allianz Premier 15s match since signing full-time contracts with the Welsh Rugby Union as Warriors Women take on Saracens at the StoneX Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 2pm).
Scrum-half Lewis and hooker Phillips are among eight changes to the side that defeated DMP Durham Sharks 74-5 last week, with fellow compatriot Alex Callender also making a welcome return to the XV.
TikTok Women’s Six Nations on the horizon
Wales-capped Callender, who will be keen to impress selectors ahead of the upcoming TikTok Women’s Six Nations, slots in at openside flanker alongside Cara Brincat and Red Roses international Alex Matthews.
Loose-head prop Carmen Tremelling and USA second-row Alycia Washington round off the changes upfront.
Centre of Excellence talent Abi back in the mix
In the backline, Abi Kershaw, sister of Jess, starts at full-back and returns to the StoneX where she made her senior debut on the opening day of the 2020/21 campaign, while Ireland capped fly-half Ellen Murphy pulls on the Warriors jersey after impressing with her kicking game when she came on in the north east last weekend.
Word from the coach
“We had two selection meetings – I say two because it took a long time to pick the squad, which is brilliant as it just shows the strength in depth that we’ve got now,” said Warriors Women Forwards Coach Liza Burgess.
“There have been some tough decisions and some tough conversations this week, which is what it’s all about in performance sport.
“We’ve got a whole range of internationals here, which is absolutely brilliant and the announcement that TikTok are now the title sponsor of the Women’s Six Nations just shows the growth that the women’s game is experiencing at the moment.”
Warriors Women | 15 Abi Kershaw, 14 Lydia Thompson, 13 Jade Shekells, 12 Meg Varley (CC), 11 Vicky Laflin, 10 Ellen Murphy, 9 Ffion Lewis, 1 Carmen Tremelling, 2 Carys Phillips (CC), 3 Flo Long, 4 Elizabeth Shermer, 5 Alycia Washington, 6 Cara Brincat, 7 Alex Callender, 8 Alex Matthews
Replacements | 16 El Febrey, 17 Lisa Campbell, 18 Stef Evans, 19 Jo Brown, 20 Sioned Harries, 21 Sarah Nicholas, 22 Vicky Foxwell, 23 Cat McNaney