Wales recall Singleton for must-win Italy game
TL;DR
Wales has recalled Seren Singleton for their crucial Six Nations match against Italy, making her the only starting change. The team aims to break a nine-game losing streak and avoid a third consecutive Wooden Spoon.
Key points
- Seren Singleton returns as the only starting change for Wales
- Wales has lost their last nine games in the Championship
- The match against Italy is crucial to avoid a Wooden Spoon
Seren Singleton returns on the wing as Wales' only starting change for Sunday's final Six Nations game against Italy (12:15 BST).
Singleton made her debut against Scotland in the opening round and also started against France and England but sat out last weekend's defeat in Ireland with Hannah Dallavalle given the nod.
Dallavalle moves to the bench this week, with Freya Bell dropping out of the matchday 23 altogether.
Wales head coach Sean Lynn was frustrated with the performance in Belfast but has given his side a chance at redemption, saying "they are the ones that are going to fix it".
Wales have lost their last nine games in the Championship and are at serious risk of picking up a third consecutive Wooden Spoon.
They can avoid finishing bottom this year if they beat the Azzure and if Scotland also leave Dublin empty-handed when taking on Ireland.
"We came into camp on Tuesday this week and you could see the frustration from the players," Lynn said.
"One thing I've said to the girls and staff this week, we've got 80 minutes to put that right. We haven't next week.
"So going into Italy, it's about an 80-minute performance, putting everything right, pulling it together from Ireland, but taking the positives that we've had from Scotland, France and England."
Italy arrive in Cardiff having backed up a convincing win over Scotland by scoring five tries against world champions England.
And Lynn knows Wales will need to be defensively sound against a side which put a record score on Wales in last year's final round in Parma.
"You don't get a free-flowing attacking team if you can make sure you're winning the collisions," he said.
"If you're looking at a small win against Ireland, we gave them the slowest ruck speed in the tournament so far. So it's making sure that we can be competitive in that area to slow them up and keep that consistency."
How they line up
Wales: Powell; Singleton, Cox, Keight, J Joyce; George, Bevan; Pyrs, Jones, Tuipulotu, Metcalfe, Evans, Aiono, Lewis (capt), King
Replacements: Reardon, Davies, Rose, John, A Joyce, Lockwood, Dallavalle, Prothero
Officials
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR)
Assistants: Emily Hope (RFU), Rebecca Piddlesden (RFU)
TMO: Dan Jones (RFU)
FPRO: Paul Haycock (IRFU)
Q&A
Why did Wales recall Seren Singleton for the Italy game?
Wales recalled Seren Singleton to improve their performance after a disappointing defeat in Ireland and to strengthen their chances in the must-win match against Italy.
What is at stake for Wales in the final Six Nations game against Italy?
Wales risks finishing last in the Championship for the third consecutive year, potentially earning a Wooden Spoon if they lose to Italy.
What changes were made to the Wales squad for the Italy match?
Seren Singleton returns as the only starting change, with Hannah Dallavalle moving to the bench and Freya Bell dropping out of the matchday 23.
