Gloucester-Hartpury Women will kick off their 2019-20 Tyrrells Premier 15s season on the road at Firwood Waterloo Ladies on Saturday, with Welsh international back-row Bethan Lewis skippering the side.
The 20-year-old will lead a team that features a number of full internationals as well as several promising young players who have made their way through the Hartpury University pipeline to feature in the Tyrrells Premier 15s.
The strength in depth in the squad is also demonstrated by the number of internationals named amongst the replacements.
Head Coach Susie Appleby is optimistic ahead of the season opener.
“We’ve had a really good preseason and are most definitely ready to get going. We have some new combinations with Ellen Murphy arriving from Ireland and Ti Tauasosi from New Zealand.
“In between them is Alicia Maude, a young exciting player and a huge prospect for the future. We have unbelievable experience across the squad and, to be able to call on Shona Powell Hughes and Sian Williams from the bench is indicative of the strength in depth we now have at the club.
“Waterloo are a very good side and will be no pushover. We know we will be in for a battle and we are ready.”
Gloucester-Hartpury Women:
15. Emma Sing; 14. Beth Randall, 13. Millie Wood, 12. Ceri Large, 11. Kelly Smith; 10. Ellen Murphy, 9. Alicia Maude; 1. Ranni Samuda, 2. Kelsey Jones, 3. Cerys Hale; 4. Karin Ingram, 5. Zoe Aldcroft; 6. Beth Lewis (captain), 7. Tabs Copson, 8. Ti Tauasosi
Replacements:
16. Katie Dougan, 17. Connie Powell, 18. Sian Williams, 19. Shona Powell Hughes, 20. Daisy Fahey, 21. Lleucu George, 22. Ellie Underwood
