WALES head coach Nick Wakley has named an experienced 12-player squad for the Women's Sevens Grand Prix Series opener in France this weekend.

Sian Williams will captain the side, which features several mainstays of Wales' fifteens team in the likes of Dyddgu Hywel and Elinor Snowsill, as well as sevens specialists such as Jasmine Joyce and Sinead Breeze.

Wales have warmed up for the Rugby Europe competition, in Malemort near Brive, with strong showings at events in Dublin and Amsterdam, whilst back in December they were part of an invitational side which claimed a title in Dubai.

"We've got a very close group, where the players are familiar with each other from playing either sevens or fifteens together in national colours," said Wakley.

"That cohesion has started to show in our last few outings. We'd like to get this Rugby Europe campaign off to a strong start, and I'm confident we've got the players to help us achieve that."

Wales Women Sevens squad for Brive
1 Sian Williams (c) 
2 Shona Powell-Hughes
3 Dyddgu Hywel
4 Gemma Rowland
5 Jodie Evans
6 Rhiannon Parker
7 Keira Bevan
8 Elinor Snowsill
9 Hannah Jones
10 Philippa Tuttiett
11 Sinead Breeze
12 Jasmine Joyce