This game marks the latest stage in the build-up to the second version of WXV. The winners qualify for WXV2, the losers join WXV3.
An important addition to the rewards is a direct qualification for the World Cup next year. Players and supporters will need to be in full control of their emotions as the match unfolds. The squads and match details are listed below.
Cymru at the canter?
There’s no doubt that Wales ought to win this game by a margin. Nearly everything points in their favour: they play regular high-class test matches, supported by eighteen rounds of PWR club matches in England. They lie five places higher than Spain in world rankings, 8th against 13th; that represents a considerable gap in achievement. They may well be fortified by Abi Tierney’s announcement of the WRU’s 5-year strategy for the future of Welsh rugby.
Their problem is that they haven’t had a chance to prove they have advanced since a desperately disappointing 2024 Six Nations campaign. They managed one win out of five, beating Italy in the final round at home, and by a mere 2 points.
After a well-reported period of slough, they achieved two successive third places to restore confidence, but then came that downturn. Critical voices have attacked the WRU itself, then the team management, but the captain, Hannah Jones, was brave enough to point the finger of blame at herself and her squad. This game will be their chance to begin the climb back to prosperity.
Kerin Lake will claim her 50th cap; congratulations to her. The one missing figure up front is Natalia John, so Georgia Evans moves from the back row to join Abbie Fleming.
Spain’s chances
For the Spaniards it’s the time-worn problem. Beyond the closed shop of the Six Nations they are the uncontested leaders in Europe. Their current record stands at seven consecutive wins, which is proof positive, if needed, of the yawning gap in achievement levels around the world.
Contrast that with Wales’ seven consecutive losses till part-redemption against the Azzurre.
A handful of names will be familiar to their opponents from within the PWR. Carmen Castellucci has taken part in big games for the champions, Gloucester-Hartpury; Claudia Peña is a recent signing for Quins, and the best known of all, Laura (Bimba) Delgado, the captain, will be celebrating her 40th cap for her nation. She takes us right back to the days of Patricia Garcia, one of the greatest of las Leonas.
Juan Gonzalez is pleased to welcome back Nerea García, who missed the whole of the European Championship through injury.
A Game of Consequences
A win for Cymru would mean avoiding a disastrous drop from WXV1 to WXV3, such are the curious workings of the competition.
A loss for Spain would merely deny them the rewards they feel they deserve. I share their sense of unfairness.
Teams
Cymru: 15 Jenny Hesketh, 14 Lisa Neumann,13 Hannah Jones (captain), 12 Kerin Lake, 11 Carys Cox, 10 Lleucu George, 9 Keira Bevan, 1 Gwenllian Pyrs, 2 Carys Phillips, 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbie Fleming, 4 Georgia Evans, 5 Alisha Butchers, 6 Alex Callender, 8 Bethan Lewis
Bench: 16 Molly Reardon, 17 Abbey Constable, 18 Donna Rose, 19 Kate Williams, 20 Gwennan Hopkins, 21 Sian Jones, 22 Robyn Wilkins, 23 Courtney Keight
Spain: 15 Claudia Perez 14 Claudia Pena 13 Alba Vinuesa 12 Zahia Perez 11Clara Piquero 10 Amalia Argudo 9 Lucia Diaz 1 Ines Antolinez 2 Marieta Roman 3 Laura Delgado (captain) 4 Monica Castelo 5 Lourdes Almeda 6 Nerea Garcia 7 Alba Capell 8 Carmen Castellucci
Bench: 16 Nuria Jou 17 Maria del Castillo 18 Sidorella Bracic 19 Anna Puig 20 Maria Calvo 21 Lia Pineiro 22 Maider Aresti 23 Martina Marquez
Officials
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
Assistants: Holly Wood (RFU), Adèle Robert (BEL)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
Match Details:
Venue: Cardiff Arms Park
Date: Saturday, 29 June
Kick off: 17:35 BST
