By Paul Jones
Saracens hooker Kat Evans has been backed to justify her selection after being handed a debut chance for Wales against Japan on Sunday at the age of 35.
Evans is the only new cap in the team named by head coach Ioan Cunningham for the first of the team’s three autumn Tests.
Scrum-half Keira Bevan partners Elinor Snowsill at half back in her first international appearance since facing England in March 2020.
Great Britain star Jasmine Joyce, who has been making headlines with her try-scoring exploits on the Sevens circuit this year, has been named at full-back rather than on the wing.
Cunningham said: “As coaches we had a tough selection process, with competition for places very high.
“The whole squad performed well against the Black Ferns but we feel this group will give us the best opportunity to get a good performance and result.
#WalesWomen name experienced side vs Japan while Kat Evans in starting line-up for international debut
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“Kat (Evans) fully deserves her starting berth. She has a very high work rate and brings added physicality to the pack.
“Apart from Kat, we have a fairly experienced spine of the team with a number of leaders who are gaining experience on and off the field.
“Elinor and Keira are playing well together for Bristol and we are excited with the options the back three will bring.
“We have flexibility in our options in the back five with Georgia and Siwan able to cover second row and two back row players on the bench.
Wales v Japan: Saracens’ Kat Evans to make debut for hosts in autumn opener against Japan – NewsEverything Wales https://t.co/vAx1fVdyVi
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“Our priority is to ensure we do the basics right, and then we can look to get the ball out wide to play some attacking rugby.
“We are all looking forward to welcoming a crowd back to the Arms Park and produce a performance to shout about.”
Tickets for the game are available via www.wru.wales/waleswomen
Wales Women v Japan:
Jasmine Joyce (Bristol Bears); Lisa Neumann (Sale Sharks), Hannah Jones (Gloucester-Hartpury), Kerin Lake (Gloucester-Hartpury), Courtney Keight (Bristol Bears); Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Bears), Keira Bevan (Bristol Bears); Caryl Thomas (Worcester Warriors), Kat Evans (Saracens), Donna Rose (Saracens), Natalia John (Bristol Bears), Gwen Crabb (Gloucester-Hartpury), Georgia Evans (Sarcens), Bethan Lewis (Gloucester-Hartpury), Siwan Lillicrap (Capt, Bristol Bears)
Reps: Carys Phillips (Worcester Warriors), Cara Hope (Gloucester-Hartpury), Cerys Hale (Gloucester-Hartpury), Alex Callender (Worcester Warriors), Alisha Butchers (Bristol Bears), Ffion Lewis (Worcester Warrior), Robyn Wilkins (Gloucester-Hartpury), Megan Webb (Bristol Bears)