Thursday, August 19, 2010

Women's World Cup set for opener

Women's Rugby World Cup 2010
Venue: Surrey Sports Park, Guildford Date: Friday, 20 August Kick-off: 1400 BST Coverage: Live on Sky Sports 2, Highlights of knock-out stages on BBC Sport (UK users only)


The captains of Wales, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa at Tower Bridge
Wales face Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in the pool stages

Wales Women's coach Jason Lewis has named uncapped Aberaeron back-row Sioned Harries to face Australia in their World Cup opener on Friday.

Melissa Berry has moved from back-row to centre since the Six Nations so Jamie Kift goes to number eight and Catrina Nicholas makes up the back-row.

Clare Flowers returns to partner Berry at centre and Elen Evans is back on the wing at Surrey Sports Park.

Australia have new caps in Caroline Vakalahi and Shannon Parry.

Lewis said: "We've had a number of warm-up games leading into the World Cup campaign and Sioned has shown herself to be a fantastic, tenacious back row player.

"She is very much in the mould of Jamie Kift and she's a real asset to the team.

It's great to see Elen [Evans] back, she came through the new regional structure

Wales Women's coach Jason Lewis

"Dominating the contact area is hugely important and those sides that deal with the contact area will have a distinct advantage and in Jamie, Catrina and Sioned we have three players who are all fantastic in that area.

"Clare gives us direction and plenty of experience and returns after sustaining an injury during the Six Nations.

"It's great to see Elen back, she came through the new regional structure.

"She had previously been in the side, but during the regionals put her hand up and showed she is a versatile player in the backs.

"She has matured as a player and is good in attack but very sound defensively."

Australia's Ili Batibasaga is a surprise starter at scrum-half ahead of Sevens World Cup-winning captain Cheryl Soon.

"Ili has earned first shot with Cheryl coming off the bench and we'll assess it from there," said coach John Manenti.

"Traditionally Wales are a passionate side and we're expecting them to be very physical."

The game will be the second of the tournament, two hours after Canada face Scotland in the opener.

Wales play two other tough pool matches at the same venue in Guildford.

Wales stronger for Cup - James

South Africa are next up on Tuesday, 24 August (1200 BST), before Wales face holders and favourites New Zealand on Saturday, 28 August (1400 BST)

The tournament then enters the knock-out phase with the fourth round of matches on Wednesday, 1 September, before finals day on Sunday, 5 September.

The minor knock-out matches will be played at Surrey Sports Park, while the semi-finals, third-place play-off and final will be staged at the Twickenham Stoop.

Wales coach Jason Lewis is upbeat about the prospect of facing all three southern hemisphere powers in the group stages.

"People may say it is a 'group of death' but we have got a great opportunity to play some of the best sides in the world and turn them over," Lewis told BBC Sport Wales.

"Looking back, the Six Nations was probably the best thing that could have happened as it made us re-focus on what is important and it has grounded us.

"We are stronger as a team now than we have been for a long time and, technically and tactically, I think we will be there or thereabouts."


Australia: Tricia Brown; Kristy Giteau, Sharni Williams, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Nicole Beck; Tiu Ormsby, Ili Batibasaga; Caroline Vakalahi, Silei Poluleuligaga, Lindsay Morgan, Chris Ross (capt), Kate Porter, Rebecca Trethowan, Shannon Parry, Alex Hargreaves.
Replacements: Danielle Meskell, Margaret Watson, Rebecca Clough, Debbie Hodgkinson, Cheryl Soon, Cheyenne Campbell, Tobie McGann.

Wales: Non Evans (Cardiff Quins); Elen Evans (Dolgellau), Mellissa Berry (Blaydon, co-capt), Clare Flowers (Bristol), Mared Evans (Uwic); Naomi Thomas (Bristol), Laura Prosser (Pontyclun); Jennifer Davies (Waterloo), Rhian Bowden (Uwic), Catrin Edwards (Cardiff Quins), Gemma Hallett (Pontyclun), Rachel Taylor (Cardiff Quins), Catrina Nicholas (Cardiff Quins), Jamie Kift (Bristol, co-capt), Sioned Harries (Uwic), Catrina Nicholas (Cardiff Quins).
Replacements: Lowri Harries (Uwic), Caryl Thomas (Bath), Shona Powell Hughes (Neath Athletic), Lisa Newton (Uwic), Amy Day (Uwic), Awen Thomas (Unattached), Ceri Redman (Uwic).

Wales Women's World Cup squad:

Forwards: Jenny Davies, Lowri Harries, Catrin Edwards, Rhian Bowden, Gemma Hallett, Shona Powell-Hughes, Louise Rickard, Rachel Taylor, Catrina Nicholas, Jamie Kift (capt), Sioned Harries, Lisa Newton, Caryl Thomas.

Backs: Amy Day, Laura Prosser, Awen Thomas, Naomi Thomas, Mared Evans, Clare Flowers, Ceri Redman, Mellissa Berry (capt), Caryl James, Non Evans, Elinor Snowsill, Elen Evans.

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