Wales Women’s head coach Tom Brindle has named his 19-player squad for the senior international match against Scotland at The Lextan Gnoll in Neath this Sunday (kick-off 4pm).
The match is part of a big weekend at the ground, with the senior JES Group Conference Grand Finals taking place there on Saturday.
There is one potential debutant in the Wales squad in Olivia Williams who plays for Cardiff Demons, the side that are currently top of the RFL Women’s Championship table.
Two more Demons players, Ffion Jones and Amberley Ruck, are set to win their first caps in three years, with injuries keeping them out of the World Cup qualifying campaign. Kathryn Salter also returns after missing a Wales match for the first time last autumn. She, along with Charlie Mundy, are the only two players in this squad who took part in Wales Women’s first game back in 2019.
And it’s congratulations to Georgia Cussons, who is set to play her first international match under her new name following her recent marriage. She has previously won five caps under her maiden name Taylor.
This encounter will be Scotland’s first ever women’s international rugby league match, but some of their potential line-up have previously played for England.
Brindle said: “We are expecting a really tough test against Scotland, they’ve managed to pull a strong squad together with a lot of rugby league experience across the Women’s Super League and Championship competitions with a number of players with international experience. Their head coach John Whalley is experienced at this level and I am sure he will have prepared them well for their first senior international match.”
Tickets can be bought by going to https://ticketpass.org/o/324959259/wales-rugby-league/events. All tickets must be bought on the app or website and can be saved to a phone’s Google Wallet or equivalent. No cash or cards will be taken on the gate.
Wales Women’s Squad: Lucia Davies, Jasmine Gibbons, Ffion Jenkins, Ffion Jones, Hannah Jones, Sara Jones, Charlie Mundy, Amy Price, Amberley Ruck, Meg Whittaker, Olivia Williams* (all Cardiff Demons), Brittony Price (Fremantle Roosters), Gracie Hobbs (Huddersfield Giants), Bethan Dainton (Leeds Rhinos, captain), Kathryn Salter (London Broncos), Georgia Cussons (Sheffield Eagles), Dani McGifford (St Helens), Carys Marsh (Wigan Warriors), Agnes Wood (York Valkyrie). *uncapped