Thank goodness for the new 3G pitch here at Colwyn Bay because it's absolutely bucketing down!

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

We've just had a moment's silence for Glanmor Griffiths, the man who ensured the Principality Stadium was built in Cardiff, who died at the age of 83 this week.

During his time at the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), Griffiths held the posts of treasurer, chairman and president.

Griffiths oversaw the city centre venue's redevelopment in time for the 1999 World Cup hosted by Wales.

WRU chairman Richard Collier-Keywood said the game owes Griffiths "a huge debt for all his work on delivering what is now the Principality Stadium".

Rachel Taylor
Former Wales captain and coach on BBC Radio Wales

I think the WXV tournament will be incredibly important for the women's game, before this we haven't had an international calendar.

For Wales it's great news that they get to play against quality opposition in Canada, New Zealand and Australia which we don't get to do too often.

It's vitally important we have the opportunity to close the gap on those teams.

It's great that Alisha Butchers and Jasmine Joyce are both making their return on the same day.

Wales flanker Butchers says her focus for now is on Wales and the WXV tournament before she can turn her attention to her wedding to team-mate Joyce in December.

Image source, Getty Images

If you recognise the name of USA Eagles head coach Milton Haig, that's because he was coach of Georgia's men's team when they took on Wales at the 2019 World Cup.

Haig will lead the team and a new set of interim assistant coaches during the friendly with Wales and WXV2 series in South Africa.

It's the start of a new era for the Wales number 10 jersey after Elinor Snowsill called time on her 14-year Test career.

Robyn Wilkins gets the first chance to stake a claim for the jersey at the WXV.

And she has welcomed the challenge of filling the void along with Lleucu George and Niamh Terry.

Let's hear from Wales debutant Carys Cox...

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham believes USA Eagles are the perfect warm-up opponents for the new WXV tournament.

He said: “The USA recently competed in the Pacific Four and will have a point to prove after missing out on qualification for WXV1.

“They are a side packed full of experience and will feel they have a point to prove against us and we are expecting them to be a major challenge for us ahead of what awaits us in New Zealand.

"The opportunity to play them USA ahead of the challenge of the WXV in New Zealand was too good to miss.

“We are all looking forward and excited to be back together and to build on what we achieved in the Six Nations.

"The Welsh public’s support was a key part of our journey and will look forward to them supporting us again.

“Taking the game to Colwyn Bay is exciting because we know there is a great pool of rugby talent emerging across North Wales.

"All the players, coaches and staff know we need to hit the ground running. We laid some solid foundations in the recent Six Nations campaign, but we need to keep improving and become an even better side.

“There is so much potential in this squad and we have shown we can score tries and compete with the likes of Grand Slam champions England and second-placed France.

“We’ve worked hard all summer and the benefits of a proper preparation time have proved really invaluable but there is no substitute for playing a Test match.

“As coaches and players, we will find out where we stand against the USA before we head to the WXV1 in New Zealand in October.”

USA interim head coach Milton Haig has been forced into a late change at centre where Fane Haungatau has been called up from the bench.

Atumata Hingano was due to make her debut but has withdrawn. We are still waiting to hear why.

Paige Stathopoulos could win her first Eagles cap off the bench.

USA: Bulou Mataitoga: Tess Feury, Kate Zackary, Fane Haungatau, Sarah Levy; Gabriella Cantorna, Carly Waters; Catherine Benson, Kathryn Treder, Hallie Taufoou, Rachel Ehrecke, Freda Tafuna, Georgie Perris-Redding, Rachel Johnson.

Replacements: Paige Stathopolous, Mona Lisa Tupou, Charli Jacoby, Erica Jarrell, Tahlia Brody, Taina Tukuafu, Meya Bizer, Emily Henrich.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Huw

Wales welcome back Jasmine Joyce, Alisha Butchers and Donna Rose to face USA in Colwyn Bay.

Double Olympian Jasmine Joyce returns to the side for the first time since the Rugby World Cup having focussed on playing for Great Britain Sevens' Olympic qualification bid.

Butchers and Rose also missed the 2023 Six Nations while recovering from long-term knee injuries.

Carys Cox will make her debut on the wing, while full-back Nel Metcalfe is in line for a first senior appearance from the bench.

Cox impressed for Worcester Warriors last season, while Metcalfe was one of the Wales Under-20 players who trained with the senior squad this summer.

Carys Phillips starts at hooker ahead of Kelsey Jones, while Robyn Wilkins takes the 10 jersey following the retirement of Elinor Snowsill.

Hannah Jones will once again captain the side from centre, with vice-captain Bethan Lewis starting at number eight in place of Sioned Harries, who is among the replacements.

Wales: Jasmine Joyce; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (Capt), Kerin Lake, Carys Cox; Robyn Wilkins, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis.

Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Abbey Constable, Donna Rose, Kate Williams, Sioned Harries, Meg Davies, Lleucu George, Nel Metcalfe.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Hello and welcome to Parc Eirias for live coverage of Wales against USA in Colwyn Bay.

It's time to see what progress Ioan Cunningham's side have made after a summer of preparation for the new WXV tournament next month.

And this is the perfect warm up for facing three of the best sides in the world.

USA have been among the traditional powerhouses of women's rugby but missed out on a place in the top tier of the inaugural competition after finishing behind New Zealand, Canada and Australia in the Pacific Four Series.

Those are the exact three teams Wales will face in New Zealand, starting next month, so today's game is the ideal benchmark for Wales who qualified by finishing third in the Six Nations.

So first of all, lets get the team news.