The fixture, which will be played at Donnybrook Stadium, is Wales’ second Women’s Six Nations warm-up match of the year after last weekend’s victory against Spain in Alicante, and Phillips believes the game with Las Leonas was precisely what was needed before this weekend’s encounter with the Irish.
“Returning from the Christmas break, we seemed a little off the pace from where we had been, so Spain helped us get our energy back,” says Phillips. “It gave us a chance to tighten things up and sharpen our focus. It was all about the performance, and the team developed as the game went on, which is very encouraging.”
Backs Rebecca De Filippo and Dyddgu Hywel retain their place in the starting team, as do forwards Mel Clay, Amy Evans, Sioned Harries and Rachel Taylor. Outside centre Gemma Rowland, who made a strong impact off the bench against Spain, fly-half Elinor Snowsill and hooker Carys Phillips (captain) are among the experienced names starting for the first time this year.
“This Sunday represents a big step up from the recent games we’ve played, but that’s exciting because it gives us the opportunity to see what next-level rugby is about,” says Phillips, who has overseen three victories from three matches since taking the reins last year. “Come February, we’ll be mixing it with teams that are sitting at the top table in world rugby, and Ireland are certainly one of those teams. We need to get used to the intensity and physicality they play with, so this is a massive opportunity for us as a team.”
Though some might suggest there is a sub-plot to Sunday’s game – Wales will welcome Ireland to the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park in the Women’s Six Nations on March 11th – Phillips isn’t reading too much into it. “There will certainly be a sense that both teams are getting a look at each other before the big competition, but we’ll have quite a bit of work to do before we get to play them again. However, the timing of this game is perfect for us, because we’ll then have a two-week lead into the Women’s Six Nations, and that’s outstanding for us.”
Wales Women will name their Women’s Six Nations squad this Monday, whilst tickets for their highly-anticipated home matches against England and Ireland are now available here.
Wales Women team to face Ireland
15 Dyddgu Hywel (Scarlets)
14 Charlie Murray (Newport Gwent Dragons)
13 Gemma Rowland (Newport Gwent Dragons)
12 Rebecca De Filippo (Newport Gwent Dragons)
11 Adi Taviner (Ospreys)
10 Elinor Snowsill (Newport Gwent Dragons)
9 Sian Moore (Newport Gwent Dragons)
1 Caryl Thomas (Scarlets)
2 Carys Phillips (c) (Scarlets)
3 Amy Evans (Ospreys)
4 Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys)
5 Mel Clay (Ospreys)
6 Shona Powell-Hughes (Ospreys)
7 Rachel Taylor (Scarlets)
8 Sioned Harries (Scarlets)
Replacements
16 Cerys Hale (Newport Gwent Dragons)
17 Lowri Harries (Scarlets)
18 Meg York (Newport Gwent Dragons)
19 Rebecca Rowe (Newport Gwent Dragons)
20 Alisha Butchers (Scarlets)
21 Nia Elen Davies (Scarlets)
22 Rhiannon Parker (Cardiff Blues)
23 Robyn Wilkins (Ospreys)
24 Kerin Lake (Ospreys)
25 Jessica Kavanagh-Williams (Scarlets)
26 Jodie Evans (Scarlets)
