The week after the men’s hockey side finished fourth at the Euro Indoor Championships III in Cyprus, the Welsh Women’s team take centre stage in division two in Brussels this weekend (19-21 January).

Head coach Gwyn Williams will blood a number of youngsters for a tournament that will see his side play Scotland, Croatia and host nation Belgium in the pool stages. The winners will then be determined by a play-off, with Austria, England, Lithuania, Sweden playing in the other pool.

Swansea’s Lowri Ratti and Loughborough’s Megan Lewis-Williams have already had a taste of senior international action, while Cari Davies and Lottie Hulme will be making the step-up to the top grade for the first time. Jess Roe will lead the side, with Megan Lewis-Williams as vice-captain.

“Although we’re not as experienced in this format of the game as other nations we have managed to install some underlying principles that we feel compliment our players and we are keen to get the competition started,” said Williams.

“This will be a real challenge for the athletes and management involved, but one we are excited about. The indoor programme provides a great opportunity for those players selected to showcase their talents in a major championship.”

The tournament will be held on 19-21 January 2018 in Brussels, Belgium, with Wales playing their first match against Scotland on Friday.

Wales Squad: Mia Borley, Morgann Williams, Sam Roberts, Megan Lewis-Williams, Lowri Ratti, Ellie New, Jess Roe, SJ Thorburn, Sara Lewis, Heather Francis, Cari Davies, Lottie Hulme.

Euro Indoor Hockey II

Pool A: Austria, England, Lithuania, Sweden
Pool B: Belgium, Croatia, Scotland, Wales

Friday 19, January: Scotland v Wales, Croatia v Wales
Saturday, 20 January: Belgium v Wales
Play-Offs: 4th Pool A v 4th Pool B, 3rd Pool A v 3rd Pool B, 2nd Pool A v 2nd Pool B, 1st Pool A v 1st Pool B

Sunday 21, January: 3rd Pool B v 4th Pool A, 3rd Pool A v 4th Pool B, 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A, 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B