Wales’ Sioned Harries Returns To Hit 50 Not Out Against England

Sioned Harries will return to face England this weekend and earn her landmark 50th cap for Wales Women.

The Scarlets No.8 missed the opening Six Nations victory over Scotland as she was on sevens duty in Australia, but comes straight back into the side to face the defending tournament champions at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.

Harries made her debut for Wales at the 2010 World Cup and is a regular for Wales on the sevens circuit.

Also returning from the Brisbane Super 7s is full-back Elinor Snowsill, with Jodie Evans dropping out of the squad, second row Natalia John dropping down to the bench, and Siwan Lillicrap moving from back row to lock.

Wales were thrashed 63-0 by England last year, but coach Rowland Phillips is hopeful of something more like the 2016 meeting which Wales lost by just a single score, 20-13.

“England are a strong and settled team, who have already made a statement with a powerful, impressive win in Italy, but we need to focus on our game and build on a promising performance in Colwyn Bay,” said Phillips.

“It’s up to us to learn from past experiences and show that we can continue to grow as a team.

“It’ll be a step up again for us this weekend at the Stoop. We know that. We’re really excited for the challenge and that’s been reflected in the way we’ve trained this week.”

Utility back Hannah Jones takes her place on the bench after also competing in Australia.

Wales beat Scotland 18-17 in their opening games of the tournament after holding an 18-5 lead and Phillips added: “It was a strong team effort, full of heart.

“To play the way they did in the first match of the competition, absorbing a lot of pressure from the Scots, was very impressive for a young team.”

Wales Women team to face England

15 Elinor Snowsill (Dragons)
14 Hannah Bluck (Cardiff Blues)
13 Kerin Lake (Ospreys)
12 Rebecca De Filippo (Dragons)
11 Jess Kavanagh-Williams (RGC)
10 Robyn Wilkins (Ospreys)
9 Rhiannon Parker (Cardiff Blues)
1 Caryl Thomas (Scarlets)
2 Carys Phillips (Ospreys) (c)
3 Amy Evans (Ospreys)
4 Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys)
5 Mel Clay (Ospreys)
6 Alisha Butchers (Scarlets)
7 Beth Lewis (Scarlets)
8 Sioned Harries (Scarlets)

Replacements

16 Kelsey Jones (Ospreys)
17 Gwenllian Pyrs (RGC)
18 Cerys Hale (Dragons)
19 Natalia John (Ospreys)
20 Nia Elen Davies (Scarlets)
21 Jade Knight (Scarlets)
22 Lleucu George (Scarlets)
23 Hannah Jones (Scarlets)

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