| Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington Date: Saturday, 21 October Kick-off: 04:00 BST |
| Coverage: Live on S4C, live text updates and match report on BBC Sport website and app. |
Wales have named an unchanged side from their warm-up victory over USA for their WXV1 opener against Canada.
Carys Cox keeps her place on the wing, having impressed on her debut in Colwyn Bay last month.
Fellow wing Carys Williams-Morris takes the place of Nel Metcalfe – another new cap – on the bench as the only change in the matchday squad.
Wales are playing in the top tier of the new competition, which kicks off in Wellington this weekend.
Matches against hosts and world champions New Zealand and Australia follow in Dunedin and Auckland for Ioan Cunningham’s professional side.
Double Olympian Jasmine Joyce is in the back three with Lisa Neumann and Cox, with captain Hannah Jones – who will win her 50th cap for her country – and Kerin Lake forming the midfield partnership.
Robyn Wilkins partners Keira Bevan at half-back.
Carys Phillips is once again preferred at hooker to Kelsey Jones and packs down in the front row with Sisilia Tuipulotu and Gwenllian Pyrs.
Georgia Evans and Abbie Fleming slot into the second row, with Alisha Butchers, Bethan Lewis and Alex Callender making up the back row.
Kate Williams is set to perform in her native New Zealand for the first time since making her debut in the 2023 Six Nations, while experienced campaigner Sioned Harries and Donna Rose are among the impact players.
Wales have prepared for this match with four members of their WXV1 squad uncertain over their club futures.
Worcester Warriors were forced to withdraw from all competitions this season after their sponsor pulled out.
Phillips, Callender, Cox and Hannah Bluck all play their rugby at Sixways, along with injured players Ffion Lewis and Natalia John.
Wales are the lowest world ranked team in WXV1, but sixth is the highest in their history after three wins in this year’s Six Nations.
Canada are ranked fourth and were semi-finalists at last year’s World Cup.
They beat Wales in a friendly last summer in Halifax, although most of the Wales squad is made up of full-time professionals.
Wales warmed-up for the tournament with a first victory over USA, while Canada lost two warm-up Tests against England.
“We have rewarded the starting line-up that performed so well and produced a historic first victory over the USA in Colwyn Bay back in September,” Cunningham said.
“Carys Williams-Morris comes into the squad and will bring her experience, and we are confident she will have a major impact off the bench.
“We are excited for the opening game of the WXV1 and are raring to go and to see where we are against one of the best sides in the world.
“Canada ran England close in a recent Test match and we know they are a physical side, but we have worked hard during our preparation for this tournament and are looking forward to the challenge at the ‘Cake Tin’ on Saturday.
“Hannah Jones will captain the side and win her 50th cap for her country and we all know this is a special occasion for her, her family and for all the squad. She made her Wales debut as a 16-year-old and her leadership qualities, on and off the field, is why she is so respected throughout the game.”
Line-ups
Canada: TBC
Wales: Jasmine Joyce; Lisa Neumann, Hannah Jones (Capt), Kerin Lake, Carys Cox; Robyn Wilkins, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Abbie Fleming, Georgia Evans, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis.
Replacements: Kelsey Jones, Abbey Constable, Donna Rose, Kate Williams, Sioned Harries, Meg Davies, Lleucu George, Carys Williams-Morris.
Officials
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
Assistants: Maggie Cogger-Orr (NZR), Taneika Uerata (NZR)
TMO: Rachel Horton (RA)
