Wales: Siwan Lillicrap captains the 32-man Rugby Women’s World Cup with 19 debuting for the tournament | News about Rugby Union

Head coach Ioan Cunningham named the 32-man Welsh squad for the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, with a selection that included 19 players making their debut for the tournament: “There’s been some gay discussions. harsh and you always consider the combinations, the scenarios that we could face for a long time in New Zealand”

Siwan Lillicrap captains Wales at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand

Siwan Lillicrap will captain Wales’ 32-man squad, as head coach Ioan Cunningham confirms his selection for the upcoming Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

“We’re delighted with the team we’ve settled on, we’re really looking forward to seeing what we can do when we face New Zealand next week,” Cunningham said on Wednesday as the squad was announced. announced, with the World Cup kicking off on October 8.

“There’s been some heated discussions and you’re always looking at the combinations, the scenarios we might face over a long period of time in New Zealand and importantly the ways you can bring those bridges to life. the best player on the pitch but overall we are happy with our position.

“We’ve had two tough warm-ups, which is exactly what we needed and we’re excited about what lies ahead.”

Second row, Lillicrap leads the team as captain with Hannah Jones named as vice-captain, with Wales placed in the same group as Scotland, hosts New Zealand and Australia.

Cunningham added: “Siwan is an excellent captain on and off the pitch. She has a great tactical mind and an understanding of what needs to be done at any time. Referee communication and skill Her match management is second to none.She is certainly beneficial in many ways.

“Having said that, we are developing our leadership team and Hannah has led the team by example against Canada and England this summer. Her work ethic is high and she will too. Become a strong leader.

“Hannah is learning a lot from Siwan and the two have been working together in recent weeks. The pair complement each other in many ways.”

Three players from Sioned Harries, Elinor Snowsill and Caryl Thomas will take part in their fourth World Cup, while 19 players can make their Rugby World Cup debut.

Wales are in a tough group with Scotland, hosts New Zealand and Australia

These include Lowri Norkett, whose sister Elli played in the 2014 Rugby World Cup. Elli tragically passed away in 2017 at the age of 20. Lowri has also accepted an offer of a full-time contract until the end of the year while Abbie Fleming and Robyn Wilkins transitioned from part-time to full-time as appropriate. matches all the other players on the team. .

“Honestly, it’s been a bit of a spin. From the moment I got my first limit in Canada, getting a contract until December to booking tickets to New Zealand, it’s been a month,” Norkett said. believable.

“I think the coaches reward hard work and even though I didn’t get the contract the first time around, I kept working hard and it paid off.

“My best memories of Elli are watching her in France during the 2014 Rugby World Cup when she was just 17 years old. It’s amazing that I would do the same now. She has always been a source. my inspiration.

“I’ve had to work really hard to achieve this while everything has come so easily to her. I’m actually a bit speechless. My family and fiance are obviously very proud.”

“As a coach, you’re always happy when someone works really hard and gets them on a team or team. Lowri Norkett is one of them. She’s been involved, trained and perfected. fully deserving of his position,” added Cunningham.

“We have players going through their first World Cup and what are the chances to do that in New Zealand and we will obviously draw on the experience of Sioned, Elinor and Caryl throughout the tournament.

Harries said, “Coming to New Zealand means a lot. It will taste sweeter after being away from the team for three years.

“I’ve always had high personal standards but now I can train full time so this is a World Cup where I have high expectations for myself and I want to make myself, my family, my teammates and Proud friends.”

Wales Women’s Rugby World Cup squad

Striker: Alisha Butchers (Bristol Bears), Alex Callender (University of Worcester Warriors), Gwen Crabb (Gloucester-Hartpury), Georgia Evans (Saracens), Kat Evans (Saracens), Abbie Fleming (Exeter Chiefs), Cerys Hale (Gloucester-Hartpury) , Sioned Harries (University of Worcester Warriors), Cara Hope (Gloucester-Hartpury), Natalia John (University of Worcester Warriors), Kelsey Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), Bethan Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury), Gwenllian Pyrs (Bristol Bears), Donna Rose (Saracens), Siwan Lillicrap (Gloucester-Hartpury), Carys Phillips (University of Worcester Warriors), Caryl Thomas (University of Worcester Warriors), Sisilia Tuipulotu (Gloucester-Hartpury).

Backside: Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears), Lleucu George (Gloucester-Hartpury), Hannah Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), Jasmine Joyce (Bristol Bears), Kerin Lake (Gloucester-Hartpury), Lisa Neumann (Gloucester-Hartpury), Ffion Lewis (Greater) of Worcester Warriors), Lowri Norkett (University of Worcester Warriors), Kayleigh Powell (Bristol Bears)
Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Bears), Niamh Terry (University of Worcester Warriors), Megan Webb (Bristol Bears), Robyn Wilkins (Exeter Chiefs), Carys Williams-Morris (Loughborough-Lightning).