Lightning and Thunder name sides for Celtic Challenge
Celtic Challenge round seven
Brython Thunder v Edinburgh
Venue: Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli Date: Saturday, 8 February Kick-off: 12:30 GMT
Coverage: Live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website
Wolfhounds v Gwalia Lightning
Venue: Virgin Media Park, Cork Date: Sunday, 9 February Kick-off: 12:30 GMT
Gwalia Lightning and Brython Thunder have named their teams as they face games at different ends of the Celtic Challenge this weekend.
Second-placed Lightning make two changes for their visit to leaders Wolfhounds in Cork, while bottom side Thunder make seven personnel changes to welcome Edinburgh to Llanelli.
The Lightning pack sees one change from the side that completed a double over Edinburgh last weekend, with prop Danyelle Dinapoli coming into the front row.
Wales full-back Jenny Hesketh, who came off the bench in the bonus-point victory at Ystrad Mynach, makes her first start for Lightning.
Reigning champions Wolfhounds have one more point than their Welsh opponents - both sides having won five out of six games - and Gwalia are on a three-match winning streak.
Thunder have lost all six of their games this season and are bottom of the table.
Wales international Meg Webb is one of seven players who come into their starting XV for the game at Parc y Scarlets, with two positional changes.
Webb partners Savannah Picton-Powell at centre with number 10 Hanna Marshall returning alongside scrum-half Seren Singleton.
Ellie Tromans moves to full-back with Ffion Davies and Eleanor Hing on the wings.
The only changes to the pack from last week's 58-0 mauling by Clovers in Belfast is in the back row, with flanker Lucy Isaac returning to partner Finley Jones and Katie Carr.
Gwalia Lightning head coach Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin said: "We know that that Wolfhounds as the top of the table side will be a real challenge for us, but we travel to Ireland with real confidence.
"We have showed we can match any side in the Celtic Challenge and fully deserve to be at the top end of the table. Our performances have shown we can find a way and compete and play some really exciting and attacking rugby."
Brython Thunder head coach Ashley Beck said: "It's great to be back on Welsh soil after the run of games away from home and we are looking forward and excited to be playing at Parc y Scarlets.
"We know Edinburgh will be a challenge and they showed they are good side with the back-to-back games with Gwalia Lightning. This is a young and new-look Brython squad and we are learning about the demands of playing against the best players in Ireland, Scotland and Wales."
Line-ups
Gwalia Lightning: Jenny Hesketh; Courtney Greenway, Kelsie Webster, Anwen Owen, Caitlin Lewis; Carys Hughes, Sian Jones; Maisie Davies, Molly Wakely, Danyelle Dinapoli, Lily Terry, Alaw Pyrs, Bryonie King (capt), Catrin Stewart, Gwennan Hopkins.
Replacements: Molly Mae Crabb, Dali Hopkins, Cana Williams, Paige Jones, Lottie Buffery-Latham, Katie Bevans, Freya Bell, Carys Williams-Morris
Brython Thunder: Ellie Tromans; Ffion Davies, Savannah Picton-Powell, Meg Webb, Eleanor Hing; Hanna Marshall, Seren Singleton; Stella Orrin, Chloe Gant, Cadi Lois Davies, Robyn Davies, Natalia John (capt), Finley Jones, Lucy Isaac, Katie Carr
Replacements: Lowri Williams, Elan Jones, Megan Lewis, Danai Mugabe, Anna Stowell, Niamh Terry, Hannah Bluck, Hannah Lane.
