Women's Six Nations 2024: Jenny Hesketh to make Wales debut against Scotland

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Jenny Hesketh in Wales training session — Jenny Hesketh has represented England in rugby and football

Venue: Cardiff Arms Park Date: Saturday, 23 March Kick-off: 16:45 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and online from 16:30 GMT; listen on BBC Radio Wales & Radio Cymru; text commentary, highlights and report on BBC Sport website and app.

Full-back Jenny Hesketh will make her debut in Wales’ Women’s Six Nations Opener against Scotland on Saturday.

The former England Under-20s captain was called into the squad in February and qualifies through her Welsh mother.

There is also a Six Nations debut for wing Nel Metcalfe, while GB Sevens star Jasmine Joyce returns to rugby union.

Alex Stewart will make her Scotland debut at flanker, while Scotland also have three GB Sevens players in their match day squad.

Rhona Lloyd starts on the wing, Lisa Thomson at centre and Shona Campbell on the bench.

Lock Natalia John returns to Wales’ starting line-up after missing out on the WXV1 campaign in New Zealand in the autumn.

Scrum-half Sian Jones is also set for a debut off the bench after impressing in the Celtic Challenge.

Wales’ pack has a familiar look to it.

Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu make up the front row, with John partnering Abbie Fleming in behind.

The back row sees Alex Callender and Alisha Butchers as flankers with Bethan Lewis packing down at number eight.

Lleucu George forms a half-back partnership with the experienced Keira Bevan, while captain Hannah Jones resumes her midfield partnership with Kerin Lake.

Joyce, Metcalfe and Hesketh make up a new-look backline, with usual starters Lisa Neumann not included in the matchday 23 and Carys Williams-Morris not named in the Six Nations squad.

Carys Phillips, Donna Rose and Abbey Constable provide front row cover on the bench, with Georgia Evans, Kate Williams, Niamh Terry and Carys Cox also poised to make an impact.

Wales' Six Nations fixtures

Scotland name an unchanged side which secured victory over Japan in the autumn and the WXV2 title.

The front row consists of Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon and Christine Belisle.

Emma Wassell and Sarah Bonar link up in the second row, with the captain Rachel Malcolm joining Stewart and Evie Gallagher in the back row.

Helen Nelson and Caity Mattinson form the half-backs, with Thomson joining Emma Orr in the midfield.

Lloyd makes up a backline with Edinburgh duo Meryl Smith and Coreen Grant.

Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham said: “There was much debate around this selection and that demonstrates the strength in depth we are now building in the squad.

“Test matches against Scotland have traditionally been close and tight affairs and we are expecting the same on Saturday.

“Jenny Hesketh has impressed on and off they field since she joined up with us and fully deserves to make her Wales debut.

“Sian Jones was one of the standout players in the Celtic Challenge and we know how much she is looking forward to pulling on the red jersey and representing her country.”

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson said: “It’s really exciting to see any player getting their first cap.

“Her [Alex Stewart] performances for Edinburgh have been really positive, and the way she has trained over the last two or three weeks has showed the hunger she has.

“She is dynamic, she is quick… and her along with Rachel Malcolm and Evie Gallagher is a really exciting back row. I’m looking forward to watching them.

“We’ve not really looked at Wales too much, we’ve done our homework, we understand them well and we’ve had some really good fixtures against them in the past, but we’ve concentrated really hard on ourselves.”

Wales: Jenny Hesketh; Jasmine Joyce, Hannah Jones, Kerin Lake, Nel Metcalfe; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Natalia John, Abbie Fleming, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis.

Replacements: Carys Phillips, Abbey Constable, Donna Rose, Georgia Evans, Kate Williams, Sian Jones, Niamh Terry, Carys Cox.

Scotland: Meryl Smith; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Coreen Grant; Helen Nelson, Caity Mattinson; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm, Alex Stewart, Evie Gallagher.

Replacements: Elis Martin, Molly Wright, Elliann Clarke, Louise McMillan, Rachel McLachlan, Mairi McDonald, Shona Campbell, Chloe Rollie.

Match officials

Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)

Touch judges: Sara Cox (RFU), Holly Wood (RFU)

TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

BBC Scrum V goes behind the scenes at the Women’s Six Nations launch Across the BBC banner

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