Laura Marsh REME has been selected for Wales’s World Cup Squad.
Extract from /www.wru.co.uk
Wales Women name World Cup training squad
1 October 2009, 4:24 pm
By Liz Jones and Graeme Gillespie
Wales Women head coach Jason Lewis has named a training
squad for a season which concludes with the Women's
Rugby World Cup.
He has named a group of 34 which includes 6 uncapped
players. Lewis will select his players for this November's
friendly Test against Sweden and the Women's Six Nations
Championship from this squad before narrowing it down
ahead of the global tournament which will be held across
the Severn Bridge in England next summer.
"It's a strong squad and we're probably flying
in the face in terms of national squads, as we've increased
the group to 34. I want to create a really competitive
environment within the squad so no-one feels their place
is secure. I think the squad is moving in right direction,"
said Lewis.
"We aspire to be world champions. We're not so
stupid as to think that is an easy task, it will be
very tough," he admitted.
"It will take a lot of work and lot of effort
on my part, of the players and management to get us
competitive on the world stage but we are committed
to that so who knows what can happen?"
Mel Berry continues as captain of the side and believes
last season will stand the girls in good stead as they
go into World Cup season.
"Winning the Triple Crown and beating England
was a good stepping stone for us. It gave us a lot of
self belief in our ability to take every game at a time
and win those games. Once again this season, we will
look to play our autumn and Six Nations games to the
best of our ability while using them as a stepping stone
towards the world cup at the end of the season."
Talented Cardiff Quins fly-half Elinor Snowsill is
one of the uncapped players in the squad who is hoping
to impress the national selectors. She captained the
national Under 20s side last season and has made rapid
strides since switching codes from football.
"It's such a privilege to be here with the girls
and just to be part of preparations. Within the squad
we're all positive. We're obviously thinking of the
World Cup but there are a number of stepping stones
to cross before we get there with autumn internationals
and the Six Nations. Hopefully we learn from those games
but the expectation is to get to the final."
Last season may have been the best in Welsh women's
history, but coach Jason Lewis still believes it could
have been even better.
Lewis's squad claimed the Triple Crown for the first
time after beating arch rivals England, Scotland and
Ireland but a defeat out in France denied Wales a Grand
Slam.
"We can look back and see that it was the most
successful year in women's rugby but in my coach's mind,
I'm still left with what could have been a grand slam,"
he said, referring to the defeat against the Tricolores,
before adding: "I think there is still more in
the tank."
All eyes are now on next year's Women's Rugby World
Cup with a series of training weekends already underway.
Wales Women training squad:
Forwards:
Mellissa Berry (capt, Blaydon), Jenny Davies (Waterloo),
Claire Horgan (Saracens), Louise Horgan (Saracens),
Hannah Roberts (UWIC), Catrin Edwards (Cardiff Quins),
Becky Newton* (Cardiff Quins), Rhian Bowden (UWIC),
Gemma Hallett (Pontyclun), Rachel Taylor (Cardiff Quins),
Claire Donovan (Saracens), Beth Hawke (Bristol Ladies),
Jamie Kift (Bristol Ladies), Carys John (UWIC), Catrina
Nicholas (Cardiff Quins), Hannah Torangi (UWIC), Lisa
Newton* (UWIC)
Backs:
Amy Day (Bristol Ladies), Laura Prosser (Cardiff Quins),
Laura Marsh* (Woodbridge), Awen Thomas
(Cardiff Quins), Naomi Thomas (Cardiff Quins), Elinor
Snowsill* (Cardiff Quins), Clare Flowers (Bristol Ladies),
Rachel Poolman (UWIC), Kaye Rees* (Harlequins), Ceri
Redman* (UWIC), Heledd Stephens (UWIC), Louise Rickard
(Woodbridge), Hayley Baxter (Cardiff Quins), Non Evans
(Clifton), MAred Evans (UWIC), Aimee Young (UWIC), Alison
Wright (Oakmeadians)
* = uncapped player
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