Akina Gondwe makes a welcome return to Warriors Women’s starting XV for tomorrow’s Allianz Premier 15s clash with DMP Durham Sharks at Sixways Stadium (kick-off 2pm).
Gondwe has been out of action since early December, the prop having sustained a knee injury against Exeter Chiefs.
The former England Under-20 player, who works in the club’s Community Rugby department, packs down alongside Carys Phillips and Carmen Tremelling in the front-row.
Phillips captains the side and is one of three Wales internationals returning to the field after missing last week’s trip to Harlequins due to being in camp.
Tenacious back-row Alex Callender and scrum-half Ffion Lewis are the other two Wales players back in the mix, with their experience complementing the Centre of Excellence graduates in the squad. Jemima Moss and Abi Kershaw, both of whom came through the club’s pathway programme, start in the second-row and on the wing respectively. Jess Kershaw, Abi’s sister, is among the replacements after impressing at Quins last weekend.
“There is a real buzz around the squad to be playing at Sixways again and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” said Attack and Backs Coach Sian Moore.
“We’ve had some great learnings over the past month or so and we’ve stepped up against the likes of Saracens and Bristol. Ultimately, there are a lot of points to prove following last week’s defeat at Quins both individually and collectively.
“We’re excited to get back out there and see what the girls can bring.”
📋 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀
🆚 @DMP_Sharks
🗓️ Sat 19 Feb
⏰ 2pm
🏟️ Sixways Stadium
📲 Full story ➡️ https://t.co/DwHTPf43Ux
🎟 Tickets ➡️ https://t.co/JnsZtARV1A𝘖𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳 | @BoardrmUK pic.twitter.com/OSKiCWgXF0
— Worcester Warriors Women (@WorcsWarriorsW) February 18, 2022
Warriors Women | 15 Cat McNaney, 14 Abi Kershaw, 13 Vicky Foxwell, 12 Jade Shekells, 11 Vicky Laflin, 10 Ellen Murphy, 9 Ffion Lewis, 1 Akina Gondwe, 2 Carys Phillips (c), 3 Carmen Tremelling, 4 Jemima Moss, 5 Amelia Buckland Hurry, 6 Cara Brincat, 7 Alex Callender, 8 Jo Brown
Replacements | 16 El Febrey, 17 Lisa Campbell, 18 Flo Long, 19 Elizabeth Shermer, 20 Sara Moreira, 21 Jess Kershaw, 22 Minori Yamamoto, 23 Meg Varley