Cunningham has named a 37-strong squad ahead of their championship opener in Ireland next weekend. Wales have been bolstered by having professional players in their ranks for the first time, following the Welsh Rugby Union’s historic decision to award 12 full-time contracts in January.
“It’s about building on our performance in the autumn where we managed to get two wins (against Japan and South Africa) which we were really happy with,” said Cunningham. “First of all we’ve got to be scoring points, and we’ve got to be scoring tries.
“We are delighted we are scoring tries with a lot of great work that the girls are putting in. “I think if we stick to what we’ve done in the autumn, and build on that we’ll start to win more games. I think we’ve got to be confident within our group to look at two to three wins on this competition which will set us up nicely going into the World Cup.
“From my point of view and the coaching team we are super excited for the Six Nations which has crowds back. It’s going to be brilliant for the girls to play in front of supporters, and feeling that passion especially at home.
“We can’t wait for that first home game. There’s a good mixture of experience and young talent in the squad we’ve picked.” Cunningham has included six uncapped players in his squad, including Lowri Norkett who followed in the footsteps of younger sister Elli, who was tragically killed in a car accident in 2017, in playing for Wales last weekend.
Norkett is joined by two other Wales-based players in Liliana Podpadec and Jenni Scoble, while Emma Hennessy, Emma Swords and Sisilia Tuipulotu are set to win first caps. The former Scarlets coach has also recalled experienced Worcester back-row star Sioned Harries.
And Cunningham is hugely excited at the prospect of Harries playing in the same back row as captain Siwan Lillicrap. “She (Sioned Harries) brings a wealth of experience which we are delighted with,” he said. “She’s been playing well for Worcester, and has been great in our environment.
“She’s got her head down working hard. Within our environment it’s about the team first.
“We spoke clearly and honestly to the group and said let’s make it hard not to pick you.
“Everything that they do within our training environment is really important. She’s embraced that, and we can’t wait to see her go over the next few weeks.
“It’s exciting from a coaching point of view. Competition drives standards at the end of the day.
“That’s what we want in our squad; girls fighting for places. I also think it will be fantastic to get both of them on the field at the same time.
“They are both top quality players, and to have them on the field at the same time will only help us.”
