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Sean Lynn gives trio full debuts in first Wales team
By Martyn Thomas
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.
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.
“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.
“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.
“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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Dupont got away with criticizing O’Keefe but SA got away with playing France at the QF stage where they were vulnerable. Proper draw and you play them in semi or final and its a different story.
Go to commentsThe current system isn’t working, strong clubs need strong membership, there needs to be a healthy grass roots game to produce the players of the future. Half a dozen clubs less than 5 miles apart drawing from a diminishing pool of players doesn’t provide the competition needed to improve talent. What we have in Wales doesn’t work, we have been lucky over the last decade and the national team has done well despite the dire performance of the regions, now it seems we’re have to deal with the reality of our situation, 17 straight loses and back to back wooden spoons, everything should be on the table doing nothing isn’t an option.
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