Niamh Terry in line for Wales start in Six Nations Finale

By Harry Scott-Munro
29/04/22

Exeter Chiefs fullback Niamh Terry will make her first start of the Six Nations for Wales Women on Saturday, when they take on Italy at Cardiff Arms Park. (12 noon)

Whilst this has been a campaign of marked improvement for Wales Women, Head Coach Ioan Cunningham is still hoping his side can finish with a bang, by securing a victory over Italy that would guarantee third place in the championship.

“We know it’s going to be a really tough day at the office on Saturday. Italy are a quality team and we need to be 100% ready mentally as well as physically. We want to finish with three wins, that is what this group deserves having worked so hard all season,” explained Cunningham.

Last weekend, the Welsh suffered a 33-5 defeat to France but again impressed, with the second half a hugely tight and physical affair.

This weekend, Cunningham has shuffled his side, with a number of changes, including Terry’s first start of the championship having made her return to the international fold on the bench last weekend.

Alongside her, Kelsey Jones and Cara Hope make their first starts of the season at hooker and loosehead prop, with Alex Callender and Sioned Harries return to the starting line-up in the back row alongside Alisha Butchers.

Captain Siwan Lillicrap joins Gwen Crabb in the second row, with Donna Rose returning at tighthead. Behind the scrum, Ffion Lewis and Kerin Lake return to the starting line-up at scrum-half and inside centre, with Robyn Wilkins moving back to flyhalf.

After what has been a successful few weeks for his side, Cunningham acknowledged that it had been a whole squad effort and admitted that Chiefs young-gun Terry deserved her opportunity.

“It’s great to see Kelsey (Jones) returning to the starting line-up after a long-term injury, along with Caryl Thomas on the bench. Niamh (Terry) deserves to show what she can do at full-back and it’s good to see Cara Hope getting a first start of the season too,” he explained.

With many of the Welsh side contracted for the first time during this tournament, Cunningham has been pleased with the experience that his squad has gained, as they look to build into the world cup in New Zealand.

“We wouldn’t be where we are now without the contribution of the whole training squad and I’m confident that every player, even if they haven’t featured in a matchday, will leave camp having gained an invaluable amount of experience and gained knowledge of what it takes to be part of an international set-up, along with improving their skills, strength and game understanding.”

Wales Team:

15 Niamh Terry (Exeter Chiefs)

14 Lisa Neumann (Gloucester-Hartpury)

13 Hannah Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)

12 Kerin Lake (Gloucester-Hartpury)

11 Jasmine Joyce (Bristol Bears)

10 Robyn Wilkins (Gloucester-Hartpury)

9 Ffion Lewis (Worcester Warriors)

1 Cara Hope (Gloucester-Hartpury)

2 Kelsey Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury

3 Donna Rose (Saracens)

4 Siwan Lillicrap (capt, Bristol Bears)

5 Gwen Crabb (Gloucester-Hartpury)

6 Alisha Butchers (Bristol Bears)

7 Alex Callender (Worcester Warriors)

8 Sioned Harries (Worcester Warriors)

Replacements:

16 Carys Phillips (Worcester Warriors)

17 Caryl Thomas (Worcester Warriors)

18 Cerys Hale (Gloucester-Hartpury)

19 Natalia John (Bristol Bears)

20 Bethan Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury)

21 Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears)

22 Lleucu George (Gloucester-Hartpury)

23 Kayleigh Powell (Bristol Bears)