 Non Evans (far left) at the Women's Rugby World Cup launch in Twickenham
Wales Women's full-back Non Evans expects to be fit for the World Cup, despite injuring knee ligaments. The 84-cap stalwart suffered the problem in training for Wales' Commonwealth Games wrestling team. The initial scan suggested an operation would be needed, but Evans is hopeful that will not be the case. "I have to have a couple of weeks in a brace... I can walk and run on it, I have just got to rest it otherwise it won't improve," said Evans. "I haven't had an injury since I broke my leg in 2006, so I have been very lucky with all the sports that I do.  | It's really exciting and everyone in the Welsh squad is now starting to talk about our first game with Australia |
"Hopefully it will heal quickly. I can still do the bike and gym so I can keep my fitness up, which is great because I'm fitter than I have ever been before." Wales will open their campaign against world sevens champions Australia at Surrey Sports Park on Friday, 20 August (1400 BST). The game will be the second of the tournament, two hours after Canada face Scotland in the opener. Wales play two other tough pool matches at the same venue in Guildford. South Africa are next up on Tuesday, 24 August (1200 BST), before Wales face holders and favourites New Zealand on Saturday, 28 August (1400 BST). The tournament then enters the knock-out phase with the fourth round of matches on Wednesday, 1 September, before finals day on Sunday, 5 September. The minor knock-out matches will be played at Surrey Sports Park, while the semi-finals, third-place play-off and final will be staged at the Twickenham Stoop. "It's really exciting and everyone in the Welsh squad is now starting to talk about our first game with Australia," said Evans. "It is getting closer and closer and the mood in the camp is really good considering how we went in the Six Nations, getting the wooden spoon and losing to Italy. "A lot of the players who missed the Six Nations through injury are fit and back and there is really good competition for places in the squad."
Wales Women's World Cup squad: Forwards: Jenny Davies (Waterloo/ Blues), Lowri Harries (UWIC/ Blues), Catrin Edwards (Cardiff Quins/ Scarlets), Alex Stokes (Neath Athletic/ Ospreys), Rhian Bowden (UWIC/ Dragons), Gemma Hallett (Pontyclun/ Blues), Shona Powell-Hughes (Neath Athletic/ Ospreys), Rachel Taylor (Cardiff Quins/ Ospreys), Catrina Nicholas (Cardiff Quins/ Blues), Jamie Kift (capt) (Bristol Ladies/ Dragons), Sioned Harries (UWIC/ Scarlets), Lisa Newton (UWIC/ Ospreys). Backs: Amy Day (Bristol Ladies/ Dragons), Laura Prosser (Cardiff Quins/ Blues), Awen Thomas (Unattached/ Scarlets), Naomi Thomas (Cardiff Quins/ Scarlets), Mared Evans (UWIC/ Dragons), Clare Flowers (Bristol Ladies/N/A), Ceri Redman (UWIC/ N/A), Mellissa Berry (Blaydon/ N/A), Caryl James (Cardiff Quins/ Scarlets), Non Evans (Cardiff Quins/ Scarlets). Possibles (three to be selected) from: Hannah Roberts (prop) (UWIC/Dragons), Louise Rickard (second-row) (Woodbridge/ N/A), Caryl Thomas (prop) (Bath Ladies/ Dragons), Kerin Lake (full-back) (Neath Athletic/ Ospreys), Elen Evans (centre) (Dolgellau/ Scarlets), Elinor Snowsill (back) (Loughbourgh/ N/A).
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