Wales Women are in action this weekend for the first time since their new professionalism chapter began in January.
Ioan Cunningham's Wales side face USA Falcons in a pre-Six Nations warm-up on Saturday, March 12, at 2pm at Parc y Scarlets.
Forward Sioned Harries, capped 58 times, returns from the international wilderness to take her place among the replacements. The 32-year-old back-rower last featured for Wales in the 2019 autumn internationals, has been to three World Cups and was a key player under former head coach Rowland Phillips.
Bristol Bears talent Kayleigh Powell lines up at full-back in a back-three completed by Lisa Neumann and Jasmine Joyce. Hannah Jones and Kerin Lake partner at centre while Robyn Wilkins and Keira Bevan are the half-backs. As for the forwards, Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones and Cerys Hale line up in the front row, while rising star Sisilia Tuipulotu packs down with Gwen Crabb in the second row and Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender and captain Siwan Lillicrap combine in the back-row.
There are no fewer than 17 players on the bench - vice-captain Natalia John among them - with Cunningham and his coaching staff using the fixture as a final audition for the upcoming Six Nations squad announcement. Most players are expected to get gametime.
A dozen Wales players became full-time professionals in January with 11 more signing part-time retainer contracts. Talks are currently ongoing for another retainer contract, while three more are up for grabs this weekend.
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Fly-half Elinor Snowsill is unavailable due to a calf strain but is expected to be fit for the Six Nations opener on March 26 and Abbie Fleming has suffered a neck injury, while second-row Georgia Evans has undergone arm surgery and faces around four months out of the game.
Cunningham said of Harries' return to a Wales matchday squad: "It will be good to see how she goes in our environment. She's got fantastic experience. She's got her head down and worked hard. Obviously her strengths are physicality and ball-carrying, we can't wait to get her on the field.
"It will be great to see the likes of Kayleigh Powell and Kelsey Jones in a Wales jersey for the first time since injury. We are excited to see new players such as Sisilia Tuipulotu in a match situation for us for the first time, along with other squad players who are pushing for selection.
"We are developing a number of leaders within the squad and Natalia deserves this chance having led by example on and off the pitch within our full-time programme.
"Everyone has a chance this weekend to put their hands up for inclusion in the Six Nations squad along with starting berths and potentially contracts.
"USA Falcons will be a good side. All of their players are involved with Allianz Premier 15s clubs and will give us a very competitive hit-out ahead of Ireland in two weeks' time."
As for Evans' lengthy lay-off, he added: "We wish Georgia Evans a speedy recovery after suffering a significant arm injury while playing for Saracens."
Wales Women: 15. Kayleigh Powell; 14. Lisa Neumann, 13. Hannah Jones, 12. Kerin Lake, 11. Jasmine Joyce; 10. Robyn Wilkins, 9. Keira Bevan; 1. Gwenllian Pyrs, 2. Kelsey Jones, 3. Cerys Hale, 4. Gwen Crabb, 5. Sisilia Tuipulotu, 6. Alisha Butchers, 7. Alex Callender, 8. Siwan Lillicrap (capt).
Replacements: Cara Hope, Kat Evans, Carys Phillips, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble, Natalia John (vice-capt), Liliana Podpadec, Beth Lewis, Manon Johnes, Sioned Harries, Ffion Lewis, Lleucu George, Flo Williams, Caitlin Lewis, Emma Hennessy, Gemma Rowland, Lowri Norkett.
