Bevan leads Wales in WXV warm-up against Scotland
Keira Bevan will be joined by Robyn Wilkins in an experienced half-back partnership
- Published
Women's international friendly: Scotland v Wales
Venue: The Hive, Edinburgh Date: Friday, 6 September Kick-off: 19:35 BST
Coverage: Watch live on BBC Alba, BBC Sport website and app, updates on BBC Radio Wales
Keira Bevan will captain Wales for the first time in their WXV2 warm-up game against Scotland at the Hive in Edinburgh on Friday (19:35 BST).
Scrum-half Bevan, 27, will lead a young Wales squad, with prop Maisie Davies, hooker Rosie Carr and lock Alaw Pyrs all set to win first senior caps off the bench.
Pyrs is the sister of Gwenllian Pyrs, who starts in the front row. They are poised to become the first sisters to play for Wales since twins Claire and Louise Horgan in 2008.
Number eight Gwennan Hopkins makes her first Wales start, while flanker Alisha Butchers is in line to win her 50th cap as a replacement.
“Keira Bevan is an experienced international and has been handed the captaincy for this game and Maisie Davies, Rosie Carr and Alaw Pyrs, who trained with us during the Six Nations, all warrant their selection in this squad after the recent Under-20 Six Nations in Parma,” said Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham.
“Alaw playing for Wales, alongside her older sister Gwenllian, will be a special moment for their family and for all of us.”
Wales qualified for WXV2 - in addition to the 2025 World Cup - courtesy of an eight-try triumph over Spain at Cardiff Arms Park in June.
The Scotland match is the first of two WXV2 warm-up games, with Australia to come at Rodney Parade on Friday, 20 September.
Wales then face the Wallaroos again in their WXV2 opener in Cape Town on Saturday, 28 September before taking on Italy a week later.
Gwennan Hopkins made her Wales debut in the 2024 Six Nations
They round off the campaign against Japan on 11 October, with Scotland and South Africa also featuring in their pool.
There are nine changes from the Spain victory, with second row Gwen Crabb returning after injury and Jasmine Joyce-Butchers back in the Wales side having represented Great Britain Sevens at a third Olympic Games over the summer.
Experienced players such as recent captain Hannah Jones, Carys Phillips, Alex Callender, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans and Kayleigh Powell are not involved.
“It’s the start of a new season and we know we need to expose more players to the demands and intensity of Test match rugby,” added Cunningham.
“As coaches and staff, we know we need to build the squad’s depth and need competition for places.
“We have given some new players who have impressed in training and in the Under-20 Six Nations an opportunity to show what they can do at the highest level.”
Wales: Jenny Hesketh; Catherine Richards, Meg Webb, Kerin Lake, Jasmine Joyce; Robyn Wilkins, Keira Bevan (capt); Gwenllian Pyrs, Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Natalia John, Gwen Crabb, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Gwennan Hopkins.
Replacements: Rosie Carr, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose, Alaw Pyrs, Alisha Butchers, Sian Jones, Lleucu George, Nel Metcalfe.