A fifth-place finish in the first leg in Marcoussis a month ago – the highest position any Wales Women team has reached in the series – will give the side confidence in a group containing Scotland, Portugal and hosts Russia.
“Our preparations for the last leg in Kazan have gone well,” said head coach Jonathan Hooper. “We are very much looking forward to the start of the tournament. The challenges that we’ll face on day one are very exciting.
“Scotland gave us two tough games in France, Portugal will be a new challenge for us and playing Russia in their home tournament will be a great test.”
Experienced duo Hannah Jones and Jaz Joyce are named co-captains once more, with Alex Callender and Angharad De Smet the new faces in the team.
Hooper’s team open their campaign this Saturday against Scotland (09:28 BST), before taking on Portugal (12:20). Russia, who topped their group last time out before narrowly losing to France in the final match, are Wales’ final opponents of the day (15:34).
Wales Women Sevens: Alex Callender, Angharad De Smet, Bethan Lewis, Gemma Rowland, Hannah Jones (co-captain), Jaz Joyce (co-captain), Jess Kavanagh-Williams, Kayleigh Powell, Kelsey Jones, Lucy Packer, Mel Clay, Niamh Terry. Travelling Reserve: Caitlin Lewis.
