Davies to make first start for Wales

By Harry Scott-Munro
22/4/21

Exeter Chiefs Women's scrum-half Meg Davies will make her first-ever Six Nations Championship start for Wales when they tackle rivals Scotland at Scotstoun on Saturday (5pm).

Davies is joined in the match-day squad by club-mate Abbie Fleming, who is selected for the first time this tournament amongst the replacements.

After defeats to both France and Ireland, the Welsh will be looking to end the tournament on a high, giving themselves a positive note to end what has been a challenging Championship.

Ahead of kick-off, there are wholesale changes from their last outing against Ireland with eight personnel and four positional changes, due to a combination of injury and tactical decisions.

With captain Siwan Lillicrap ruled out with an ankle injury, centre Hannah Jones will lead her country, while Jasmine Joyce returns to the side at full-back having missed the Ireland game with GB 7s commitments.

The absence of experienced fly-half Elinor Snowsill sees Robyn Wilkins move to No.10 jersey, where she will partner Davies, who has impressed off the bench in her first two caps.

On the bench, Fleming could be in line for her first appearance of the championship, alongside Gwenllian Jenkins, Shona Powell-Hughes, Jade Knight and Megan Webb.

Fleming has impressed with her impact in the black jersey of the Chiefs this season, making 11 appearances in the Allianz Premier 15s and will be hoping to transfer her club form onto the international stage.

Discussing his selection for the match, Wales Head Coach Warren Abrahams spoke of his excitement at representing the jersey one final time, admitting that he is looking forward to seeing some of his younger players show what they can do.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to go out one more time in a Six Nations match and represent the jersey. I’m excited by the backline with some of the younger players such as Meg Davies and Caitlin Lewis hungry for opportunities and Jaz has been given licence to run from full-back.

“It’s a privilege to be in this position, opportunities like these don’t come around every day so we have to take responsibility now and make this one count.”

With injuries to a number of key personnel, Abrahams sees the match as a chance to develop his leadership group and see who can step up, ahead of next years rearranged World Cup in New Zealand.

“We have some injuries – Siwan in particular, is a big loss as captain and one of our stand-out players to date – but equally it’s a chance to give others the opportunity to put their hands up with the Rugby World Cup next year. It’s good to see some leaders getting additional responsibility with Hannah Jones as captain and another of our leaders Georgia stepping up as vice-captain.”

Supporters will be able to watch the match live from Scotstoun on BBC iPlayer, with kick-off at 5pm, as part of ‘Super Saturday’ to round off this year’s women’s championship.

Wales Women: Jasmine Joyce; Lisa Neumann, Gemma Rowland, Hannah Jones (capt), Caitlin Lewis; Robyn Wilkins, Meg Davies; Caryl Thomas, Robyn Lock, Donna Rose, Natalia John, Teleri Wyn Davies, Manon Johnes, Bethan Dainton, Georgia Evans. Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Gwenllian Jenkins, Cerys Hale, Gwen Crabb, Shona Powell-Hughes, Abbie Fleming, Jade Knight, Megan Webb