Cox returns to Wales midfield as Lynn makes three changes for Ireland trip

Carys Cox has returned to Sean Lynn’s starting XV for Wales’ Guinness Women’s Six Nations fixture with Ireland in Dublin.

The centre’s return from injury is one of three changes to the team that lost 62-24 to England’s Red Roses in Bristol in Round 3 last time out.

Cox’s inclusion sees Courtney Keight return to inside centre. Hannah Dallavalle takes a place on the wing in a back three that also contains Jasmine Joyce and Kayleigh Powell.

There is a potentially significant reshuffle in the pack. Gwen Crabb is unavailable due to a knee injury sustained in training, meaning Branwen Metcalfe comes into the second row to partner Georgia Evans. Jorja Aiono moves to blindside flanker.

Elsewhere in the team there is impressive continuity. The front-row combination of Gwenllian Pyrs, Sisilia Tuipulotu and Kelsey Jones start a fourth consecutive game with one another, while Keira Bevan and Lleucu George remain the half-back partnership.

There is also a potential debut for Sale Sharks and Gwalia Lightning wing Nikita Prothero from the bench. Prothero would join Seren Singleton, Aiono, Jenna De Vera and Freya Bell in having made their Test debuts for Wales this campaign.

Sean Lynn, Wales head coach, said: “We are excited to resume the Six Nations and build on the grit and resilience we showed against England to score two tries towards the end of that Test match.

“We took another real step forward in building our playing style and team identity and we know we have to do the same against Ireland in their own backyard.

“This is a new-look Wales squad and it’s all about sticking to our principles and process and focussing on what we want to do and expect from ourselves in the Test arena.

“Every game in this tournament has seen us build another layer of the team we aspire to be and we expect to come away from Ireland having done the same.

“Ireland are an ambitious side and will be hurting after their run of results in the tournament and we know they will be looking to make a statement in Belfast on Saturday.”

Wales match day squad v Ireland

15 Kayleigh Powell (Harlequins)
14 Hannah Dallavalle (Gloucester-Hartpury)
13 Carys Cox (Ealing Trailfinders)
12 Courtney Keight (Sale Sharks/Brython Thunder)
11 Jasmine Joyce (Bristol Bears/Brython Thunder)
10 Lleucu George (Gloucester-Hartpury)
9 Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears)
1 Gwenllian Pyrs (Sale Sharks)
2 Kelsey Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury)
3 Sisilia Tuipulotu (Gloucester-Hartpury/Brython Thunder)
4 Branwen Metcalfe (Brython Thunder)
5 Georgia Evans (Saracens)
6 Jorja Aiono (Brython Thunder)
7 Bethan Lewis (Captain, Gloucester Hartpury/ Gwalia Lightning)
8 Bryonie King (Gwalia Lightning) 15 caps

Replacements

16 Molly Reardon (Gwalia Lightning)
17 Maisie Davies (Gwalia Lightning/Bristol Bears)
18 Donna Rose (Saracens)
19 Natalia John (Brython Thunder)
20 Alisha Joyce (Brython Thunder/Bristol Bears)
21 Seren Lockwood (Brython Thunder)
22 Freya Bell (Gwalia Lightning)
23 Nikita Prothero (Gwalia Lightning/ Sale Sharks)*