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Page last updated at 16:08 GMT, Friday, 27 August 2010 17:08 UK

Wholesale changes for Wales Women against New Zealand

Women's Rugby World Cup 2010
Venue: Surrey Sports Park, Guildford (group stages and play-off matches) and Twickenham Stoop (semis and final) Dates: Fri 20 August - Sun 5 September
Coverage: Watch main matches live on Sky Sports, Highlights of knock-out stages on BBC Sport website (UK users only)


Melissa Berry
Melissa Berry returns to the Wales back-row against New Zealand

Wales Women have made 10 changes, including four positional, for their final World Cup Pool A clash against New Zealand on Saturday.

Jason Lewis' side go into the match against one of the tournament favourites having lost 26-12 to Australia and 15-10 to South Africa.

Captain Melissa Berry moves from centre to number eight and Sioned Harries from back-to-second-row.

Non Evans goes from full-back to wing and Naomi Thomas fly-half to full-back.

Amy Day and Awen Thomas form a new halfback partnership while Clare Flowers and Elen Evans return to the midfield.

Wales head coach Lewis said: "We have had one girl go home and one or two are carrying injuries so to some extent we were forced to make some of the changes.

"On paper they don't come much tougher than New Zealand but we feel there are opportunities within the game to have a go at them at certain things.

"There is no reason whatsoever why the girls can't go out there and pull off a shock result."

Louise Rickard, with 110 caps behind her at wing and full-back, is on the bench as second row cover while uncapped number eight Vici Owens and centre Adi Taviner make their first appearance on the bench.

Owens has her chance in the wake of Catrina Nicholas being ruled out of the tournament by a knee injury.

Wales are also without prop Jenny Davies until finals day on Sunday, 5 September after she was found guilty of stamping against the Wallaroos and banned for three games.

Two rounds of play-off games to determine rankings take place after Saturday's final pool round and Davies will be available for Wales' last match.


Wales: Naomi Thomas; Caryl James, Elen Evans, Clare Flowers, Non Evans; Awen Thomas, Amy Day; Caryl Thomas, Rhian Bowden, Catrin Edwards, Gemma Hallett, Sioned Harries, Jamie Kift, Melissa Berry (capt), Lisa Newton.
Replacements: Lowri Harries, Louise Rickard, Vici Owens, Shona Powell Hughes, Laura Prosser, Ceri Redman, Adi Taviner.

Wales Women's World Cup squad:

Forwards: Jenny Davies, Lowri Harries, Catrin Edwards, Rhian Bowden, Gemma Hallett, Shona Powell-Hughes, Louise Rickard, Rachel Taylor, Vici Owens, Jamie Kift (capt), Sioned Harries, Lisa Newton, Caryl Thomas.

Backs: Amy Day, Laura Prosser, Awen Thomas, Naomi Thomas, Mared Evans, Clare Flowers, Ceri Redman, Mellissa Berry (capt), Caryl James, Non Evans, Elinor Snowsill, Elen Evans.



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see also
Wales Women lose injured Nicholas
26 Aug 10 |  Welsh
Catrina Nicholas column
25 Aug 10 |  Welsh
Wales Women 10-15 South Africa
24 Aug 10 |  Welsh
Wales Women 12-26 Australia Women
20 Aug 10 |  Welsh
Catrina Nicholas column
18 Aug 10 |  Welsh
Here come the girls
05 Aug 10 |  Rugby Union
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales


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