Six Nations 2015: Wales women include two debutants for England

Gemma Rowland (left) of Combined Services Ladies is tackled by Adi Taviner of Cardiff Blues Ladies

Wales have handed debuts to centre Gemma Rowland and second row Rebecca Rowe for their Six Nations opener against England in Swansea on Sunday.

Captain Rachel Taylor switches from the back row to lock, while Shona Powell-Hughes starts at number eight.

Uncapped trio Keira Bevan, Amy Evans and Melissa Clay are on the bench, as are Amy Lawrence and Kerin Lake.

"We now have plenty of pace and penetration throughout the backline," said head coach Rhys Edwards.

"It is an exciting combination and one I am looking forward to seeing play together."

Lock Rowe was previously a successful rower, winning a European Championship bronze medal for Great Britain before a back injury cut short her career.

Now at the age of 33, Rowe is set to win her first cap for Wales in the Six Nations.

Wales finished eighth at the 2014 Women's Rugby World Cup, having finished fifth in the 2014 Six Nations with one win from five matches.

Wales team to face England

Dyddgu Hywel (Pontyclun/Scarlets); Elen Evans (Waterloo/Scarlets), Adi Taviner (Skewen/Ospreys), Gemma Rowland (London Wasps/Dragons), Laurie Harries (Llandaff North/Blues); Elinor Snowsill (Dragons), Amy Day (Llandaff North/Dragons); Caryl Thomas (Bath Ladies/Scarlets), Carys Phillips (Skewen/Ospreys), Catrin Edwards (Llandaff North/Scarlets), Rebecca Rowe (London Welsh/Dragons), Rachel Taylor (Bristol Ladies/Dragons - capt), Sian Williams (Worcester/Dragons), Sioned Harries (Whitland/Scarlets), Shona Powell-Hughes (Skewen/Ospreys).

Replacements: Amy Lawrence (Skewen/Ospreys), Jenny Davies (Caernarfon/Blues), Amy Evans (Skewen/Ospreys), Jenny Hawkins (Llandaff North/Blues), Melissa Clay (Pencoed/Ospreys), Keira Bevan (Skewen/Ospreys), Robyn Wilkins (Llandaff North/Blues), Kerin Lake (Skewen/Ospreys).