Thunder and Lightning name Welsh derby teams

Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder have named their teams for the all-Welsh Celtic Challenge derby on Saturday, 27 December.

Both sides will be looking to bounce back from opening round defeats when they take to the pitch at Cardiff Arms Park at 14:00 GMT.

Lightning, captained by Wales back-rower Bryonie King, have made three changes to the side that narrowly lost 35-31 to Clovers in Dublin last weekend.

Wales scrum-half Sian Jones and Wales lock Alaw Pyrs both come into the starting line-up, with GB sevens player Nia Fajeyisan selected on the wing.

Full-back Catherine Richards, lock Tilly Vucaj and front-rowers Maisie Davies and Molly Reardon are the other Test internationals to feature in the XV.

"The Welsh derbies always focus the minds of players, coaches and staff and there is always an edge when we face Brython Thunder," said Lightning head coach Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin.

"We produced an impressive performance away in Dublin and we need to build on that."

Thunder are again led by Jess Rogers, with her side making four changes from the 36-17 defeat at home to Glasgow Warriors.

There is a new half-back pairing of Wales scrum-half Seren Lockwood and Ffion Williams, with Amy Williams named at full-back and Finley Jones in the back-row.

Lock Natalia John, wing Amelia Tutt, number eight Branwen Metcalfe and replacement scrum-half Ffion Lewis make up the rest of the Wales contingent, who will be under the watchful eye of Wales head coach Sean Lynn.

"When the fixtures are announced the first game all players, coaches and staff look for are the Welsh derbies," said Thunder head coach Ashley Beck.

"To have the first Welsh derby so early in the season and during the festive season adds real spice to the start of the Celtic Challenge.

"We are a young side, and we know what Gwalia Lightning will bring but this is all about producing a performance in Cardiff."

Gwalia Lightning: Richards; Greenway, Webster, Anderson-Thomas, Fajeyisan; Hughes, S Jones; Davies, Reardon, Hill, Pyrs, Vucaj, E Jones, Stewart, King (capt)

Replacements: Wakely, Thomas-Bradley, Waugh, Pearce, Terry, Owen, Bevans, Prothero.

Brython Thunder: A Williams; Tutt, Tromans, Healen, Singleton; F Williams, Lockwood; Orrin, S Williams, E Jones, R Davies, John, F Jones, Rogers (capt), Metcalfe

Replacements: Morgan, M Lewis, Watkins, Bowen, Kovachev, F Lewis, F Davies, Marshall.