Richmond Head Coach David Mobbs-Smith has named a strong Richmond side for the first ever televised Tyrrells Premier 15s game, as Wasps Ladies head to the Richmond Athletic Ground at 12.45 on Sunday.
After winning three of their first matches this season, Mobbs-Smith’s side have faltered in recent weeks, and will be keen to get back to winning ways against a Wasps side who have picked up eight bonus points in eight games.
Rustiness might be an issue for some after the league took a three week hiatus for international reasons, but Richmond will be boosted by the form of captain Rowena Burnfield in recent weeks – the second row returning to England action for the first time since 2015. After playing in two of the three victories against Canada, Burnfield returns to the Richmond engine room alongside Claire Phelps in a familiar looking partnership.
A powerful front row trio of Laura Kapo, Gaelle Mignot and Victoria Meki have Richmond looking strong up front, while big ball carriers Zoe Barber, Libby Povey and number eight Chloe Butler take their places in the back row.
The backline has a very familiar look to it, with the experience of Abi Chamberlain and Jade Knight at halfbacks key to the pace of Richmond’s game. The ever-mobile Kirsty Lee Griffiths shuffles out to the wing, meanwhile, with Jade Wong coming into the starting line-up to join Vic Britland in the centres. Alicia McComish starts on the other wing, with Katie Wallis once again offering security from the number 15 spot.
On the bench, meanwhile, Anna Butler and Alice Soper back up the front three, with Sian Hobday and Becky Ball respectively ready to come on and inject some ball-carrying power to the second and back rows.
In the backs, Charlotte Keane will once again back up Jade Knight at nine, with Kiri Lose – fresh from being vice captain for the British Police side over the international break – ready to come on out wide. Finally, Rosie Neal wears 22, the former Stocksbridge centre ready to make her first team debut for Richmond in the centres.
RICHMOND TEAM
15 Katie Wallis
14 Kirsty Lee-Griffiths
13 Jade Wong
12 Vic Britland
11 Alicia McComish
10 Abi Chamberlain
9 Jade Knight
1 Laura Kapo
2 Gaelle Mignot
3 Victoria Meki
4 Rowena Burnfield (Capt)
5 Claire Phelps
6 Zoe Barber
7 Libby Povey
8 Chloe Butler
16 Anna Butler
17 Alice Soper
18 Sian Hobday
19 Rebecca Ball
20 Char Keane
21 Kiri Lose
22 Rosie Neal
Report courtesy of Richmond FC
