Gwen Crabb and Donna Rose will start against Italy on Sunday Women's Six Nations: Italy v Wales Venue:Stadio Sergio LanfranchiDate:Sunday, 27 AprilKick-off:11:30 BST Coverage:Watch on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport online, listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru Wales have made three changes to their pack for the final Six Nations match against Italy in Parma. Prop Donna Rose is handed her first start of the campaign having deputised on the bench for rookie Jenni Scoble. Gwen Crabb, a try-scorer in France, is recalled to the second-row having been rested against Ireland. Her return sees Georgia Evans revert to number eight in place of Alex Callender, who is among the replacements after returning from injury last week. Head coach Sean Lynn admitted the changes were a response to last Sunday's one-sided 40-14 defeat by Ireland in Newport. "Ireland's pack really took us at set-piece so we need to address that," he said. "Gwen is a very good set-piece controller in the lineout and I'm hoping Alex will bring energy and composure off the bench when we need it." Wales' head coach haswarned his playersthey must respond to their run of four losses or risk being cut from his World Cup plans. Kayleigh Powell has been ruled out with a hamstring issue so Lleucu George retains the number 10 jersey in an unchanged Wales' backline that includes wing Carys Cox and full-back Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, both in the top six players for metres made in the championship. Wales have scored twice as many points as at the same point in last year's Six Nations but Lynn is demanding more. "I'm confident that we're creating chances, however we need to start finishing off those opportunities," he said. "I've told the players to be brave in attack but I'm also challenging this backline to finish things off to be able to stay on top." Five of the last six games between Wales and Italy have been decided by four points or less, including last year's last-gasp 22-20 Welsh victory in Cardiff. Italy are chasing a second win of the tournament having beaten Scotland in Edinburgh and pushed Grand Slam chasing France 34-21 last week. Lynn believes there could be a highly-charged atmosphere at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi for a fixture that has beenrearrangeddue to the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome on Saturday. "I'm sure there will be a lot of emotion around the game for Italy given what happened and I'm sure they'll also be targeting this home game as a big chance to win," he said. "Their driving maul put France under a lot of pressure last week and their back three are very exciting. So we need to be disciplined and defensively organised." Wales:Jasmine Joyce-Butchers; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (capt), Courtney Keight, Carys Cox; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones, Donna Rose, Abbie Fleming, Gwen Crabb, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Georgia Evans. Replacements:Carys Phillips, Maisie Davies, Jenni Scoble, Natalia John, Alex Callender, Sian Jones, Hannah Bluck, Catherine Richards. Italy:TBC Referee:Sara Cox (England). Assistant referees:Maria Latos (Germany) & Alexandra Ferré (France) TMO:Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
Wales bolster pack to face Italy in 6N finale
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Wales Makes Key Changes to Squad Ahead of Six Nations Finale Against Italy"
Bbc News
8.7
TruthLens AI Summary
Wales has made three strategic changes to their pack ahead of their final Six Nations match against Italy, scheduled for Sunday at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma. Head coach Sean Lynn has opted to start prop Donna Rose, who will be making her first start of the campaign after previously serving as a substitute for Jenni Scoble. Additionally, Gwen Crabb, who scored a try against France, is returning to the second-row after being rested for the match against Ireland. This adjustment sees Georgia Evans shift to the number eight position, taking over from Alex Callender, who is now among the replacements after returning from injury. Lynn's decision to modify the lineup comes in response to a disappointing 40-14 defeat to Ireland, where he noted that the Irish pack dominated during set-pieces. He expressed hope that Crabb's skills in controlling the lineout will strengthen their performance, while Callender is expected to provide energy and composure off the bench.
Wales is currently seeking to turn around a streak of four consecutive losses, and Lynn has emphasized the importance of performance as players vie for positions in his World Cup plans. With Kayleigh Powell sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Lleucu George retains her spot as the fly-half in an unchanged backline that features notable players like wing Carys Cox and full-back Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, both of whom rank among the top six for metres gained in the championship. Despite scoring double the points compared to this stage last year, Lynn insists on the necessity for the team to convert opportunities into points. He has urged his players to be bold in their attack while challenging the backline to finalize their chances. Historically, matches between Wales and Italy are closely contested, with five of the last six encounters decided by four points or fewer. Italy, having secured a win against Scotland and narrowly lost to France, is expected to bring a passionate energy to the game, especially in light of the recent events surrounding the funeral of Pope Francis.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article provides insight into the changes made to the Welsh women's rugby team ahead of their final Six Nations match against Italy. It highlights the strategic adjustments made by the coaching staff, particularly in response to a recent defeat, which suggests an emphasis on performance improvement and competitive integrity.
Team Adjustments and Strategic Responses
Wales' head coach Sean Lynn's decision to alter the pack indicates a direct reaction to the previous match's outcome against Ireland. By bringing in Gwen Crabb and Donna Rose, Lynn aims to strengthen the set-piece performance, which was notably weak in the last game. This response reflects a tactical approach to enhance the team's competitive edge, showcasing the coaching staff's commitment to rectifying past mistakes.
Player Performance and Expectations
The article also outlines the individual performances expected from players like Lleucu George, who retains the number 10 jersey following Kayleigh Powell's injury. This continuity in the backline is crucial as it maintains team chemistry while also highlighting the pressure on players to perform better. Lynn's comments about the need for players to finish scoring opportunities suggest a desire for not just participation, but excellence in execution.
Community Impact and Fan Engagement
The narrative surrounding the team's struggles and the changes made could serve to rally fan support. By emphasizing the need for improvement and the potential consequences for players, the article seeks to engage the community, invoking a sense of solidarity and urgency among supporters ahead of the match. This could be particularly appealing to local and national fans who want to see their team succeed.
Broader Context and Implications
In the context of the wider sports environment, this news piece may also address the increasing competitiveness in women's rugby, as teams like Wales strive to improve their standings on international platforms. The focus on the Six Nations final serves as a reminder of the sport's growing prominence, which could inspire more support and investment in women's rugby.
Trustworthiness and Reliability
The article appears to be a reliable source of information, rooted in the specific context of a sporting event and backed by direct quotes from the coach. It presents factual updates without sensationalism, maintaining a focus on the game's competitive aspects. However, the framing of the narrative suggests a slightly motivational undertone aimed at both the players and the fanbase, which can influence perceptions.