Four Bristol Ladies Players Named In Wales Team To Play Ireland

Thursday, January 19th 2017

Elinor Snowsill, Sian Moore, Caryl Thomas and captain Carys Phillips are all named in the starting line-up to face Ireland on Sunday, January 22nd in Dublin.

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 Bristol's 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."

Bristol 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.