Welsh sides make changes for Celtic Challenge trips

Gwalia Lightning have made eight changes, including three positional, for Saturday's Celtic Challenge game against Edinburgh.

Brython Thunder make five changes as they seek their first victory of the campaign against Clovers in Cork on Sunday.

Wales prop Sisilia Tuipulotu makes her second appearance for Thunder after making her debut in their 69-0 defeat against Wolfhounds last weekend.

Wales international Bryonie King leads a Lightning side aiming to secure a second successive win over Edinburgh following last weekend's 31-17 win – their third victory in a row in this season's competition.

Prop Jenni Scoble makes her first start of the campaign in a Lightning starting line-up that includes seven Wales internationals.

Scoble lines up alongside hooker Molly Reardon and prop Maisie Davies.

Second row Alaw Pyrs is joined by Lily Terry, while Catrin Stewart is recalled at flanker alongside Anwen Owen and skipper King in the backrow.

Catherine Richards returns at full-back and with Nikita Prothero moving to the wing Caitlin Lewis is moved to centre, where she partners Isla McMullen.

"We travel to face Edinburgh in their own backyard expecting a backlash in this return fixture after our win last weekend," said Gwalia Lightning head coach Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin

"As players, coaches and staff, we know we still can improve and we have made changes to drive competition in the squad at this midway point in the campaign."

Second Row Gwen Crabb captains Brython Thunder while Wales fly half Mollie Wilkinson is named in the starting line-up at centre for the first time this campaign.

Wilkinson partners Wales centre Hannah Bluck with Ellie Tromans selected on the wing, alongside Amy Williams at full-back and Seren Singleton on the other wing.

Fly-half Ffion Williams partners Ffion Lewis at half-back while Sisilia Tuipulotu makes her second appearance for Thunder and packs down with former Wales captain Rhian Bowden and Wales U20s Stella Orrin in the front row.

"We have shown what we are capable of, and we are still a new side with new combinations, and we need to produce consistent performances on the field," said Thunder head coach Ashley Beck.

"As players, coaches and staff, we knew this block of three games away from home would be a challenge and would be pivotal in our Celtic Challenge campaign."

Gwalia Lightning (v Edinburgh): Richards, Greenway, Lewis, McMullen, Prothero, Hughes, S Jones; Davies, Reardon, Scoble, Terry, Pyrs, Stewart, Owen, King (capt)

Replacements: M Crabb, Thomas Bradley, Hill, Vuçaj, Buffery Latham, Hawkins, Anderson-Thomas, Palmer

Brython Thunder (v Clovers): A Williams, Tromans, Wilkinson, Bluck, Singleton, F Williams, F Lewis; Orrin, Bowden, Tuipulotu, G Crabb (Capt), Davies, Rogers, Isaac, B Metcalfe

Replacements: M Lewis, L Williams, Watkins, C Jones, F Jones, Marshall, Healan, Mabli Evans