Scott Williams and Gareth Davies are heading for Rome but no joy for Nia Davies of Cardigan who fails to make the Women’s team for the Azzurri test in Ancona but experienced back rower Sioned Harries from Pennant is in.
Hard tackling Scarlets midfielder Scott Williams has been handed the inside centre slot for the Six Nations opener this Sunday against Italy ahead of British Lion Jamie Roberts but Gareth Davies his former team mate at Newcastle Emlyn has missed out on a starting place. But there is heartbreak for Cardiff Blues flanker Nia Davies of Llangoedmore, near Cardigan who misses out altogether.(see below)
There has been plenty of heated debate over the past few weeks as to whether the two former Ddol Wiber academy products would both start but coach Rob Howley has only found a place for one of them in the form of Williams who hails from Drefach Velindre and whose brother Alex is skipper at Newcastle Emlyn.
Scarlets scrum half Davies was the player in possession of the number nine jersey but his rival Rhys Webb, the Ospreys number nine has made a rapid recovery from a serious knee injury sustained against Australia in the autumn internationals and has surprisingly been given the nod despite a lack of real match practice.
Wales have made five changes from the team that beat South Africa in November for Sunday’s opener in Rome.
A well as the return of Webb, ex-captain Sam Warburton is named on the blind-side flank and other changes see props Nicky Smith and Samson Lee come into the front row with Jake Ball in for the injured Luke Charteris in the second row alongside new captain Alun Wyn Jones.
Coach Rob Howley told BBC Wales “I’m delighted to name an experienced team and to welcome back five players who missed out on the opportunity against South Africa in the autumn,” he said.
“There has been a lot of energy and enthusiasm over the past two weeks and we are excited going into Sunday.”
Wales team: Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon); George North (Northampton), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Liam Williams (Scarlets); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, capt), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester).
Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Rob Evans (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons), James King (Ospreys), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Sam Davies (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins).
WOMENS RUGBY-ITALY V WALES
NO PLACE FOR NIA
Former Cardigan junior rugby player Nia Davies who plays for the Cardiff Blues has failed to nail a place in the Wales Women’s team to face Italy on Saturday even though head coach Rowland Phillips has rung several changes. Davies is a tough as teak open side and her chance will surely come.
Fellow back rower Sioned Harries who hails from Pennant near Aberaeron has made the starting line up for the game in Ancona and is one of seven players still in the team that played against the Azzurri last year. The former Aberaeron schoolgirl who currently works as a PE teacher will pack down on the blind side for her 38th cap.
Phillips has made five changes from the side that beat Ireland recently and include wing Elen Evans and centres Kerin Lake and Robyn Wilkins. Keira Bevan starts at scrum-half with powerhouse Rebecca Rowe returning as lock
There are no Cardiff Blues players in the match day squad which will surprise many.
Wales will be looking to improve on their fourth place finish in the 2016 tournament that was won by France.
Wales Women Team: Dyddgu Hywel (Scarlets); Elen Evans (Scarlets), Kerin Lake (Ospreys), Robyn Wilkins (Ospreys), Adi Taviner (Ospreys); Elinor Snowsill (Newport Gwent Dragons), Keira Bevan (Ospreys); Caryl Thomas (Scarlets), Carys Phillips (Ospreys, capt), Amy Evans (Ospreys), Rebecca Rowe (Dragons), Mel Clay (Ospreys), Sioned Harries (Scarlets), Rachel Taylor (Scarlets), Shona Powell-Hughes (Ospreys).Replacements: Lowri Harries (Scarlets), Cerys Hale (Dragons), Gwenllian Pyrs (Scarlets), Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys), Alisha Butchers (Scarlets), Sian Moore (Dragons), Gemma Rowland (Dragons), Jessica Kavanagh-Williams (Scarlets).
