After a scintillating 31-24 victory at Bristol in round one of Tyrrells Premier 15s, Richmond Women’s Director of Rugby Dave Mobbs-Smith has made just two changes to his starting XV who host Darlington Mowden Park Sharks on Saturday evening.
Fresh from a bonus-point victory, Richmond host the Sharks at the Athletic Ground at 5pm after their male counterparts do battle with Jersey Reds in a bumper afternoon of rugby in South West London.
Mobbs-Smith brings debutante Rachel Laqeretabua onto the left wing with Hungarian Maria Gyolcsos shifting to the right.
The Richmond boss has shown faith in his pack just six days after a bruising encounter in the West Country as he names an unchanged eight looking to counter the strong carrying threat from DMP.
Try-scorer in round one Claire Phelps starts at No.8 and she is joined by blindside flanker Rebecca Ball and live wire Fran Hall in the back row.
Second-row Rowena Burnfield skippers the side alongside Sian Hobday in the engine room as props Morgan Simpson and Laura Kapo, who enjoyed a stunning performance in round one, are joined by Zoe Barber in the No 2 jersey.
Centre Jade Wong, who crossed the whitewash for a crucial score in the victory over Bristol, starts at outside centre with Victoria Britland completing the midfield.
Katherine Wallis joins debutante Laqeretabua and Gyolcsos in the back three while Charlotte Keane and Abigail Chamberlain are entrusted with the responsibility of pulling the strings at scrum-half and fly-half respectively.
Mobbs-Smith’s side has been strengthened still by the arrival of New Zealand Black Fern Victoria Meki. The Kiwi front-rower will make her Richmond debut from the bench.
Fellow front-rower Anna Butler, Sweden’s Sanna Vestman-Stromberg and back Kiri Lose come into the replacements and could win their first appearances of the season on Saturday.
Sophie Barnett, Emelie Hellgren and Tess Braunerova make up the Richmond bench in a game that, according to Mobbs-Smith will require the same focus and intensity that saw them reap the rewards last time out.
“Team preparation this week has focused on dealing with a strong DMP squad who will pose a number of threats at the Athletic Ground. They bring a direct carrying game with backs who, once they are on the front foot, are very difficult to deal with,” he said.
“The dust has settled after an excellent result away at Bristol. The win in itself was a tribute to the efforts of the whole squad and what they have put themselves through this pre-season.
“We will need to counter the DMP attack with the same passion and intensity as last week and with ball in hand we will hopefully follow the new attack principles that led to five tries away last week.”
RICHMOND TEAM
15 Katie Wallis
14 Maria Gyolcsos
13 Jade Wong
12 Victoria Britland
11 Rachel Laqeretabua
10 Abi Chamberlain
9 Charlotte Keane
1 Morgan Simpson
2 Zoe Barber
3 Laura Kapo
4 Rowena Burnfield
5 Sian Hobday
6 Rebecca Ball
7 Francesca Hall
8 Claire Phelps
Replacements:
16 Anna Butler
17 Victoria Meki
18 Sophie Barnett
19 Sanna Vestman-Stromberg
20 Emelie Hellgren
21 Tess Braunerova
22 Kiri Lose
Report courtesy of Richmond FC
