Rival Chiefs set to go head-to-head

By Harry Scott-Munro
21/11/21

Club rivalries will be on the line as four of Susie Appleby’s Exeter Chiefs Women’s squad come face-to-face against each other as Wales tackle Canada in their latest Autumn Test at the Cardiff Arms Park today.

Winger Caitlin Lewis lines-up for the hosts against club-mates Olivia De Merchant, DaLeaka Menin and Emily Tuttosi, who again form part of the Canada squad.

Wales head into their final Test of 2021 with two autumn wins from two, but they make four changes from last weekend’s 29-19 win over South Africa.

In a late change, Robyn Wilkins starts at full-back with Exeter’s Niamh Terry having sustained an ankle injury. Keira Bevan, Lisa Neumann and Caryl Thomas also return to the starting line-up with the late change meaning uncapped Wasps outside half Flo Williams takes up a place on the bench.

Despite being pleased with the performances of his side in recent weeks, Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham can still see room for improvement against the third ranked side in the world.

“We are pleased with how we went against Japan and South Africa,” he said. “However, we left a lot of scoring opportunities on the park, that is something we can’t do this weekend. When we create chances to score, we must take them.

“Canada are ranked third in the world for good reason. They have Olympic athletes in the side and World Series sevens players. They will challenge and test us and play an ‘all-court’ game – they are strong up front and put a lot of width on the ball too. We will have to apply ourselves from the off right through to final whistle.”

The Canadians though, will provide the toughest test yet for Cunningham’s side, having provided the Red Roses with their toughest test of the autumn so far last Sunday at the Twickenham Stoop.

Exeter Chiefs pair De Merchant andMenin will both start in the front row with Tuttosi poised to make an impact off the bench.

Last Sunday, and only trailing 20-12 at the break, the Canadians were well in the match against the world number one ranked side, before falling to a 51-12 defeat as the Red Roses pulled clear.

Ahead of their final match of the tour, Head Coach Sandro Fiorino had been pleased with how much he had learnt about is squad, with 35 players having been a part of the touring party.

“I am very proud of how our team has performed since returning to play,” said Fiorino. “There have been many positives to take away, as well as a number of areas that have been identified for us to work on as we continue to develop as a group. We are all looking forward to this final match.”

He is however, expecting another tough test to end their campaign.

“Wales have performed well in their two most recent matches,” added Fiorino. “They will provide us with another excellent opportunity to see where we are as a team against quality opposition and get our players more key game time as we prepare for the World Cup.”