Sharks Women are represented in the Wales, Ireland, Scotland and USA squads this autumn, with many games being broadcast live. Here’s a rundown of who you can expect to see and when…
Wales:
There are five Sharks in the Welsh camp, wingers Jess Kavanagh and Lisa Neumann, front-rowers Molly Kelly and Gwenllian Pyrs, and scrum-half Jess Roberts.
Wales have played one match so far, Sharks speedster Lisa Neumann starting in a 23-5 win over Japan at Cardiff Arms Park.
The victory was Wales’ first in 32 months and came days after the news that 25 WRU players would soon be awarded contracts.
Neumann and Pyrs have both been selected to face South Africa this Saturday, with Wales playing Canada the weekend after.
Ireland:
After late heartbreak saw their Word Cup qualification hopes dashed by Scotland in September, our two Irish Sharks enter the autumn tests hungry for redemption.
Before facing Japan later this month, Ireland play the US Eagles on Friday. Experienced full-back Lauren Delany and pick-and-go specialist Leah Lyons’ have both been selected to start.
And the women can expect to see a few more familiar faces at that match…
USA:
Sharks’ three new American signings have all featured for the US Eagles this autumn and have already played Canada twice.
Front-rower Nick James featured off the bench in the first test, before starting the second alongside Katana Howard in the centre. Try-scoring prop Catie Benson started on the bench in the second test.
All three are named in the Eagle’s side to face Ireland on Friday, Catie Benson earning her first start of the autumn alongside Katana Howard, with Nick James named on the bench. Sharks representing in the front and back lines of both sides.
USA’s final game comes against England at the end of the month.
Scotland:
Our three Scottish Sharks have one fixture scheduled for the autumn period, facing Japan this Sunday in Edinburgh. When the side’s last met in 2019, Japan narrowly beat Scotland by four points with a 78th minute score.
Fly-half Sarah Law has been integral to Sharks season so far, particularly at the Darlington Arena, pulling the strings in a comprehensive victory over Durham DMP.
More recent arrivals to camp Lisa Thomson and Rachel McLachlan have similarly wasted no time in making their impact felt in the Sharks camp, and each started in both of Sharks most recent fixtures.
Upcoming games:
Friday 12 November – Ireland Women v USA Women (KO: 7.15pm)
Saturday 13 November – Wales Women v South Africa Women (KO: 12.15pm) Live on BBC Two Wales
Sunday 14 November – Scotland Women v Japan Women (KO: 4.10pm) Live on BBC ALBA
Saturday 20 November – Ireland Women v Japan (KO: 3pm)
Sunday 21 November – Wales Women v Canada Women (KO: 5pm) Live on BBC Two Wales
Sunday 21 November – England Women v USA Women (KO 2.45pm) Live on BBC Two
