EIGHT Dragons Ladies have been named in the Wales squad for the Six Nations with Rachel Taylor named as captain.

Backs Bethan Dainton, Amy Day, Gemma Rowland, Elinor Snowshill and forwards Cerys Hale, Rebecca Rowe and Megan York join Taylor in the 28-strong squad.

Wales are looking to have a good campaign to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Dublin along with England and France, who have already secured spots at the tournament. One out of the Welsh, Scottish and Italians will miss out.

They will play their encounters with France, Scotland and Italy at the Gnoll in Neath and will warm-up by hosting Ireland, their opening weekend opposition, at the Dragons’ Ystrad Mynach training base on Sunday, January 24.

Last season Wales started with a stunning win against England in Swansea then beat Scotland but fell away with losses to France, Ireland and Italy to finish fifth.

"We are looking to improve on last year's campaign and recreate the momentum we built at the start with two wins in a row,” said head coach Rhys Edwards.

“We are targeting our home games against Scotland, France and Italy and we'd love to notch our first win on English soil and make it successive victories over the world champions for the first time in our history.

"We have a good blend of experience and some talented newcomers and all of the uncapped players have worked hard to get into the squad.”

Backs: Keira Bevan (Ospreys/ Skewen), Ffion Bowen (Ospreys/ Maesteg Celtic), Bethan Dainton (Dragons/ Bristol), Amy Day (Dragons / Llandaff North), Elen Evans (Scarlets / Caernarfon), Dyddgu Hywel (Scarlets/ Pontyclun), Hannah Jones (Scarlets / Penybanc), Kerin Lake (Ospreys / Skewen), Rhian Nokes (Ospreys / Maesteg Celtic), Gemma Rowland (Dragons/ Wasps), Elinor Snowshill (Dragons / Bristol), Adi Taviner (Ospreys / Skewen), Robyn Wilkins (Ospreys / Llandaff North)

Forwards: Alisha Butchers (Scarlets/ Penybanc), Melissa Clay (Ospreys / Pencoed Phoenix), Catrin Edwards (Scarlets/ Llandaff North), Amy Evans (Ospreys / Skewen), Cerys Hale (Dragons/ Pontyclun), Sioned Harries (Scarlets/ Whitland), Cara Hope (Ospreys / Pontyclun), Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys/ Skewen), Carys Phillips (Ospreys/ Skewen), Shona Powell-Hughes (Ospreys/ Skewen), Amy Price (Ospreys/ Skewen), Rebecca Rowe (Dragons / Richmond), Rachel Taylor (capt, Dragons/ Caernarfon), Sian Williams (Dragons / Worcester), Megan York (Dragons / Blaenau Gwent)

WOMEN'S 6 NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES

Saturday, 6 February: Ireland v Wales (Donnybrook, Dublin - 1pm)

Sunday, 14 February: Wales v Scotland (The Gnoll, Neath - 2pm)

Sunday, 28 February: Wales v France (The Gnoll, Neath – 2pm)

Saturday, 12 March: England v Wales (Twickenham Stoop - 12.30pm)

Sunday, 20 March: Wales v Italy (The Gnoll, Neath – 2pm)

Friendly Fixture

Sunday, 24 January: Wales v Ireland (CCB Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach – midday)