Although the match wasn’t played last weekend due to the implications of a COVID outbreak in the French women’s team, the Wales players have had a productive training period under interim head coach Darren Edwards but will be will be keen to get back into competitive action.
Gloucester-Hartpury take on reigning champions Saracens this afternoon and will be led by Wales No 8 Shona Powell-Hughes. She is one of six Welsh players in the home side – Hannah Jones, Lleucu George, Robyn Lock (in her first start at hooker), Cerys Hale Gwen Crabb join her – and Cara Hope is among the replacements.
Saracens are unbeaten this season and will have three of the 2020 England Grand Slam side starting in what is likely to be a tough test for Powell-Hughes and her side, whose coaching team includes WRU Board member Liza Burgess. The last time they met, in October, 2019, it ended up in a 15-7 win to Sarries.
Bristol Bears also have a big Welsh contingent who played a big part in their opening day victory over Exeter Chiefs. There are five Welsh squad members in the starting XV against Sale Sharks.
Jasmine Joyce starts on the wing, where she will go head-to-head with fellow Wales wing Lisa Neumann, and Elinor Snowsill and Kayleigh Powell team up at half-back. Up front, Natalia John and Alisha Butchers will lock horns with the Sharks Welsh international trio of Gwen Pyrs, Molly Kelly and Teleri Wyn Davies.
Exeter Chiefs host Worcester Warriors, coached by former Welsh cap Sian Moore, at Sandy Park where the home side will have Ffion Lewis and Abbie Fleming among their replacements. The Warriors have Welsh squad members Robyn Wilkins and Alex Callender in their starting XV, joined by fellow internationals Carys Phillips and Sioned Harries. Lowri Williams, captain of Cardiff Met Ladies last season, is among the Worcester replacements.
