Source: Richmond FC

Richmond make changes for Gloucester-Hartpury

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Richmond Women’s Director of Rugby Dave Mobbs-Smith has bolstered his starting XV after the side maintained their winning start to the Tyrrell’s Premier 15s with a 27-10 victory over Darlington Mowden Park Sharks last time out.

Richmond travel to the West Country to take on Gloucester-Hartpury in a top-of-the-table clash but, despite back-to-back wins, Mobbs-Smith has strengthened his side.

The headline change comes in the pack with France Women’s captain Gaelle Mignot making her first start for the club after her move to South West London was announced earlier this week.

Mignot joins a formidable back row with Zoe Barber, shifting from hooker to openside, and No 8 Claire Phelps both starting the season in scintillating form.

Anna Butler and hooker Victoria Meki are elevated from the bench to start their Round Three encounter at Gloucester-Hartpury with try-scoring sensation Laura Kapo retaining her tighthead berth.

Captain Rowena Burnfield is joined by Fran Hall in the second row. Hall has proved integral to Richmond’s early success this season and makes the move from back row to second row to accommodate the new recruits.

In the back division, Charlotte Keane and Abi Chamberlain continue in the half backs after fine displays against the Sharks in front of a noisy home crowd at the Athletic Ground.

Vic Britland and Jade Wong swap shirt numbers in the midfield with Britland wearing 13 and Wong 12. The final change comes in the back three with Italian Anna De Rossi coming into the side following injury to Maria Gyolcsos; she joins Rachel Laqeretabua and Katie Wallis.

On the bench, Morgan Simpson provides front row cover along with Barber and Mignot. Sian Hobday, Sophie Barnett and Emily Stone will look to make an impact in the pack.

Tamsin Barber is named in a Richmond Women’s squad for the first time this season and Kiri Lose and Alicia McCormish make up the rest of the bench.

“Gloucester-Hartpury play an expansive game when on the front foot and do at times use a kicking game both as a territorial weapon and in attack to maintain width,” said Mobbs-Smith. “Certainly as a newly introduced team to the league they have surprised both Darlington Mowden Park and Wasps with back to back victories.

“They currently sit top of the Tyrrells Premier 15s and it will take a huge effort for Richmond to maintain their unbeaten run away in the West Country.”

RICH MOND TEAM
15 Katie Wallis
14 Anna De Rossi
13 Vic Britland
12 Jade Wong
11 Rachel Laqeretabua
10 Abi Chamberlain
9 Charlotte Keane

1 Anna Butler
2 Victoria Meki
3 Laura Kapo
4 Rowena Burnfield
5 Fran Hall
6 Gaelle Mignot
7 Zoe Barber
8 Claire Phelps

Replacements
16 Morgan Simpson
17 Sian Hobday
18 Sophie Barnett
19 Emily CV Stone
20 Alicia McCormish
21 Tamsin Barber
22 Kiri Lose

Report courtesy of Richmond FC