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Johnes and Wilkins retained for Italian Job

7th February 2019


Cardiff Blues duo Robyn Wilkins and Manon Johnes have retained their place for Wales Women's clash against Italy on Sunday.

Two changes have been made for the trip to Lecce, as Rowland Phillips' side look to get their Six Nations campaign back on track following the opening day defeat to defending champions, France.

Teenage open side flanker, Johnes, is a former Cardiff Blues Women Under-18 Player of the Year, and made her Test debut for Wales during the autumn victory over South Africa.

Outside half, Wilkins, is featuring in her sixth Six Nations tournament, having made her tournament debut against Italy in 2014.

Alisha Butchers - who is an employee of the Cardiff Blues Community Foundation - is named on the bench.

Wales Women will be returning to Cardiff Arms Park for their home games this season, with England set to visit the Welsh capital on Sunday, February 24 and a final-day showdown against Ireland on Sunday, March 17.

Tickets are available NOW through the Cardiff Blues website.

Wales Women: Lauren Smyth (Ospreys); Jasmine Joyce (Scarlets), Hannah Jones (Scarlets), Alicia McComish (Dragons), Lisa Neumann (RGC); Robyn Wilkins (Cardiff Blues), Keira Bevan (Ospreys); Caryl Thomas (Dragons), Carys Phillips (capt, Ospreys), Amy Evans (Ospreys), Natalia John (Ospreys), Gwen Crabb (Ospreys), Bethan Lewis (Dragons), Manon Johnes (Cardiff Blues), Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys)

Replacements: Kelsey Jones (Ospreys), Cara Hope (Ospreys), Cerys Hale (Dragons), Alisha Butchers (Scarlets), Alex Callender (Scarlets), Ffion Lewis (Scarlets), Elinor Snowsill (Bristol Bears), Jess Kavanagh (RGC)

Wales Women Six Nations fixtures (KO GMT):
France 52-3 Wales
Italy v Wales (Sat 9 Feb 7pm Stadio Ettore Giardiniero, Lecce (BBC Wales online))
Wales v England (Sunday 24 Feb, 12,30PM, Cardiff Arms Park (S4C))
Scotland v Wales (Fri 8 March, 7.35pm Scotstoun Stadium Glasgow (BBC Two Wales and BBC Alba))
Wales v Ireland (Sunday 17 March 1.30PM Cardiff Arms Park (S4C))