France Women v Wales Women

Wales Women have made three changes and one positional switch for their Six Nations clash against the French counterparts on Saturday.

Awen Thomas is at fly half, Kerin Lake on the wing, Mared Evans at outside centre and Adi Taviner on the bench.

Wales go to Bourgoin having won two of their four games.

Forwards coach Liza Burgess said: “Our decision making has been appalling so we have to cut out all the silly little errors to stand a chance.”

However Burgess is impressed by the overall progress of Wales Women’s young squad, including in their 15-14 win over Ireland at the weekend.

They go to France fourth in the table behind Ireland while France are second to England.

“I thought the girls played extremely well against Ireland,” she said.

“Our set-piece went well and we dominated the scrums. We were in fact so much in control at the scrum we were being pinged for everything from hitting too early and not binding which I thought was a bit harsh.

“But the win against Ireland should give us plenty of confidence for the France game. If we execute everything to 100 per cent and do the simple things right, I see no reason why we can’t pull off a win.

“Some of our decision making has been appalling so we have to cut out all the silly little errors to stand a chance.

“Ashley Rowlands and Shona Powell Hughes have been brilliant as a unit in the second row. Ash had a great game against Ireland.

“I think she is finding her feet at this level and what’s great is she soaks up everything like a sponge.”

Burgess also paid tribute to loosehead prop Jenny Davies who will win her 50th Wales cap at Stade Pierre Rajon.

“It’s a fantastic achievement for any player to get 50 caps but Jenny is on top form at the moment, she’s on fire and holds a lot of respect within the squad,” said Burgess.

Wales Women: Aimee Young (Bath Ladies); Kerin Lake (Neath Athletic), Mared Evans (Uwic), Elen Evans (Dolgellau), Caryl James (Cardiff Quins); Awen Thomas (Cross Keys), Amy Day (Cross Keys); Jenny Davies (Waterloo), Rhian Bowden (Cross Keys), Catrin Edwards (Cardiff Quins; capt), Ashley Rowlands (Wasps), Shona Powell Hughes (Neath Athletic), Lisa Newton (Uwic), Jamie Kift (Cross Keys), Sioned Harries (Uwic).
Replacements: Lowri Harries (Neath Athletic), Caryl Thomas (Bath Ladies), Vicky Owens (Uwic), Rachel Taylor (Cardiff Quins), Laura Prosser (Pontyclun), Elinor Snowsill (Cardiff Quins), Adi Taviner (Neath Athletic).