It hasn’t been long since the Wales seniors last played against an international side, but it is the first time they have played an international ranking match since September 2019.
The last time the seniors played, they faced a tough opponent in the South Africa SPAR Proteas. They lost the training game 60-38 but the first quarter and half-time scores are the most telling. Quarter 1 saw Wales only down by 3 goals (15-12) and half time Wales were still in the game at 27-21. Head Coach Sara Moore and Captain Nia Jones were both happy to be within reach of South Africa, but both were keen to see the squad push forward again ahead of their upcoming ranking matches, and to raise the bar in terms of their overall performance.
They will take this momentum into the three test matches against the Isle of Man and will prove that they are a team to beat.
The senior squad will travel to the Isle of Man on the 11th of November to play a series of ranking test matches. The squad selected is below-
Selected squad – Betsy Creak, Suzy Drane (Co-Captain), Clare Jones (Vice-Captain), Kyra Jones, Nia Jones (Co-Captain), Zoe Matthewman, Shona O’Dwyer, Ella Powell-Davies, Eleanor Roberts, Georgia Rowe, Christina Shaw, Leila Thomas
The selected squad has a number of changes from the South Africa game, and provides a mixture of young talented athletes who have progressed from Welsh age groups and well-established, experienced athletes. It is another great opportunity for Sara to see what this group of athletes can bring in terms of performance, on the back of the South Africa game.
We wish them the best of luck as they continue to prepare.