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Sean Lynn gives trio full debuts in first Wales team

EXETER, ENGLAND - JUNE 14: Sean Lynn, Head Coach of Gloucester-Hartpury poses for a photo during the Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby Final media day at Sandy Park on June 14, 2024 in Exeter, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Wales head coach Sean Lynn handed first Test starts to Maisie Davies, Jenni Scoble and Alaw Pyrs as he named his maiden team to play Scotland in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

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Props Davies and Scoble will line up either side of hooker Carys Phillips in the front row, while Pyrs – whose sister Gwenllian is named as a replacement – will partner Abbie Fleming in the second row.

Alaw Pyrs’ inclusion means Georgia Evans shifts to No.8 and the Saracens forward will pack down between Gloucester-Hartpury flankers Kate Williams and Bethan Lewis at the base of the scrum.

Williams and Lewis are two of four Gloucester-Hartpury players who started Lynn’s last match in charge of the Circus, Sunday’s Premiership Women’s Rugby final victory against Saracens, who have been picked in his first Wales line-up.

Captain Hannah Jones and fly-half Lleucu George are others, while a further four Gloucester-Hartpury players – Kelsey Jones, Gwen Crabb, Meg Davies and Nel Metcalfe – have been included on the bench.

Lynn said: “We are excited to start a new era for Wales with our trip to face a talented Scotland side on their home patch in the opening game of the Six Nations.

“It’s been a hectic and busy week with a short turnaround but the excitement in the squad has been infectious.

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“The message has been a simple one to the players, be you to be us and let’s build our identity, starting with Scotland away.

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“The family is back together, and the players, coaches and staff have all worked hard to create the right environment for everyone to flourish.

“We know Test matches with Scotland have been traditionally close and tight affairs, but we are looking forward to the challenge.

“We have selected a side full of experienced Welsh internationals who have hit real form for their clubs and have a mix of the exciting young talent who have impressed in the Celtic Challenge.

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“While we respect the threats Scotland will pose, we have underlined that this Test match is all about us and what we want to achieve as we build our performances in the tournament.”

Wales team vs Scotland

15 Jasmine Joyce (Bristol Bears)
14 Lisa Neumann (Harlequins)
13 Hannah Jones (capt, Gloucester-Hartpury)
12 Kayleigh Powell (Harlequins)
11 Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders)
10 Lleucu George (Gloucester-Hartpury)
9 Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears);
1 Maisie Davies (Gwalia Lightning)
2 Carys Phillips (Harlequins)
3 Jenni Scoble (Gwalia Lightning)
4 Abbie Fleming (Harlequins)
5 Alaw Pyrs (Gwalia Lightning)
6 Kate Williams (Gloucester-Hartpury)
7 Bethan Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury)
8 Georgia Evans (Saracens).

Replacements:
16 Kelsey Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)
17 Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks)
18 Donna Rose (Saracens)
19 Gwen Crabb (Gloucester-Hartpury)
20 Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning)
21 Meg Davies (Gloucester-Hartpury)
22 Courtney Keight (Bristol Bears)
23 Nel Metcalfe (Gloucester-Hartpury)

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Soliloquin 2 hours ago
Fabien Galthie announces France squad to take on the All Blacks

It’s understandable that NZ and other countries relying on their national team for revenue push for highlighting test matches as the biggest thing.

The problem is that it seems like France is being held responsible for other nations’ business model.

The business model hasn’t really changed since 2018, when France last toured NZ. They came as always with a B team, with a rather weak team by international standards back then, as it was the case with France during the 2010s.

Yet still almost all tickets got sold (50000 at Eden Park, 34000 in Wellington and 27000 in Dunedin). The interest was there.

So what has changed between that 2018 tour and the upcoming one?


In my opinion, it seems like the French business model has flourished, with the JIFF policy strenghtening the positions of French talents and less foreign players, the financial health of French clubs dominating the NH, the revigorated national team with what could have been 4 6Nations titles (the 2020 and 2021 were super close) and the emergence of top players in every positions, with arguably the best current rugby player in the world.

On the other hand, Covid has dismantled the financial basis of many federations, the departure of SA franchises from Super Rugby has weakened the competition, NZ are not the reference anymore, SA is dominating the test match competition, with Ireland and France pushing hard, although the Irish seem at a crossroads.


But again, why would it be France’s fault that NZ problems exist?

Is the French team responsible for structural problems in NZ’s rugby?

Nope. But it’s probably easier to blame the French to not give it all in terms of marketing with superstars coming, live on past glory, to cling on the view that until Dupont doesn’t tour SH, he cannot be seen as the best in the world.


Sorry, but most of French fans don’t really know NZ players.

They come in to see the French team against the All Blacks in the Autumn Tests.


And I don’t think anyone in NZ came to see Doumayrou, Parra, Belleau, Teddy Thomas or even Serin or Fickou in 2018. They came for the mighty All Blacks, the Barrett brothers, Savea, Whitelock, Aaron Smith…

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