Four Chiefs named in Welsh training squad

By Mark Stevens
24/2/21

Four of Susie Appleby’s Exeter Chiefs Women’s squad have been named in the Wales Women training squad ahead of their upcoming Six Nations Championship campaign.

Forward Abbie Fleming, along with backs Meg Davies, Ffion Lewis and Niamh Terry, are all included in a 48-strong squad selected by head coach Warren Abrahams, who has also confirmed Siwan Lillicrap as his captain.

Wales will travel to France on the weekend of April 3 for their opening fixture, before hosting Ireland the following weekend. They then contest a third, ‘play-off’ match on the weekend of April 24 in a format similar to the Autumn Nations Cup.

Abrahams, who was only appointed as head coach back in November, believes the side is in as good as place as possible five weeks out from their opening game.

“We all feel incredibly lucky to be working towards some competitive, Six Nations matches,” he said. “We are pushing ourselves as a management team and we are squeezing every drop out of our weekly coaching sessions and other ways we can grow as a squad. Every team has had to re-evaluate following the effects of the pandemic on sport and I believe the teams that come out best after all this will be the ones who are best equipped to adapt to the different pressures and challenges.

“It is fantastic to watch the contribution our players are making to their Allianz Premier 15s clubs. They are benefitting from top quality coaching and game-time there and we are grateful for that too.”

Former USA women’s sevens coach Abrahams insists he isn’t looking any further than the trip to France on the weekend of April 3.

“Everything is tailored towards that first game in France now. It’s very exciting to be training as a group but there’s no better feeling than representing your country and to be able to look forward to being part of a competitive Six Nations match is what we are all passionate about. But first we have to get the work done and believe in ourselves.

“We are encouraged by the physical progress and performance improvements the players are making both within our environment and for their clubs and they are taking ownership of aspects of the analysis work on our opposition. Whether or not we will have any crowds on the day, France will be a formidable opponent that we need to respect but at the same time it’s anyone’s game on the day. The match will give is a fantastic idea of where we are and after that we will concentrate on welcoming Ireland to Wales.”

Abrahams has extended his training squad with a view to developing depth in readiness for the Rugby World Cup in September. Along with the return from injury of internationals Lleucu George, Kerin Lake and Lewis, he has added five uncapped players in 17-year-old Gloucester-Hartpury forward Sisilia Tuipulotu, props Laura Bleehen, Gwenllian Jenkins and Madi Johns and Exeter scrum-half Megan Davies.

Abrahams added, “It’s vital we continue to develop the squad with the Rugby World Cup just around the corner. We are pleased with the attitude the players have shown throughout this period and we are excited for the next phase.”

Wales Women training squad

Forwards: Laura Bleehen, Abbie Fleming, Alisha Butchers, Gwen Crabb, Bethan Dainton, Georgia Evans, Cerys Hale, Cara Hope, Mel Howley, Molly Kelly, Gwenllian Jenkins, Natalia John, Manon Johnes, Madi Johns, Kelsey Jones, Beth Lewis, Siwan Lillicrap, Robyn Lock, Carys Phillips, Shona Powell-Hughes, Donna Rose, Caryl Thomas, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Teleri Wyn Davies

Backs : Keira Bevan, Megan Davies, Alecs Donovan, Lleucu George, Beth Huntley, Bryonie King, Courtney Keight, Jade Knight, Kerin Lake, Caitlin Lewis, Ffion Lewis, Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones, Jasmine Joyce, Kayleigh Powell, Paige Randall, Jess Roberts, Gemma Rowland, Lauren Smyth, Elinor Snowsill, Niamh Terry, Meg Webb, Robyn Wilkins, Flo Williams

2021 WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS

Pool A: England – Italy – Scotland

Pool B: France – Ireland – Wales