Wales announce team for Women's World Cup opener

Wales have named their team to face New Zealand in their Women's Rugby World Cup opener at Billings Park tomorrow (9th August).

The back three is made up of fullback Dyddgu Hywel and wings Jasmine Joyce and Elen Evans. Twenty-year-old Hannah Jones - one of the standout Wales Sevens players this season - starts in the midfield alongside outside centre Gemma Rowland. Scrum-half Keira Bevan partners fly-half Elinor Snowsill.

Hooker Phillips is joined in the front row by loosehead Caryl Thomas and tighthead Amy Evans, with Rebecca Rowe and Mel Clay named in the second row. They are bolstered by blindside Alisha Butchers, openside Rachel Taylor and number eight Sioned Harries.

Wales squad to face New Zealand:

15 Dyddgu Hywel (Scarlets)
14 Elen Evans (RGC)
13 Gemma Rowland (Dragons)
12 Hannah Jones (Scarlets)
11 Jasmine Joyce (Scarlets)
10 Elinor Snowsill (Dragons)
9 Keira Bevan (Ospreys)
1 Caryl Thomas (Scarlets)
2 Carys Phillips (c) (Ospreys)
3 Amy Evans (Ospreys)
4 Rebecca Rowe (Dragons)
5 Mel Clay (Ospreys)
6 Alisha Butchers (Scarlets)
7 Rachel Taylor (RGC)
8 Sioned Harries (Scarlets)

Replacements

16 Kelsey Jones (Ospreys)
17 Cerys Hale (Dragons)
18 Meg York (Dragons)
19 Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys)
20 Lleucu George (Scarlets)
21 Sian Moore (Dragons)
22 Robyn Wilkins (Ospreys)
23 Jodie Evans (Scarlets)