PENNANT rugby star Sioned Harries has been named in the starting line-up for Wales Women in the first match of their RBS Six Nations Tournament against Italy in Ancona on Saturday.

The former Aberaeron School and UWIC student has grown into a world class back row player, and is a regular on the international Sevens circuit.

The 27 year-old PE teacher has notched up 38 caps after making her international debut against Australia in 2010, and will start at number six.

She is one of seven players to remain in the starting line-up from last year’s team that were beaten 12-16 by Italy at the Talbot Athletic Ground.

Since head coach Rowland Phillips took charge of the team, along with assistant coaches Nick Wakley and Paul Young, Wales Women have won all four of their past four fixtures - including victories against upcoming opponents Ireland and Scotland.

Phillips believes that, thanks to a rigorous schedule and fixture list implemented in the latter part of 2016, his team is now more ready for top-flight international competition.

"We’re definitely prepared," said Phillips. "Our progress to this point has been excellent. There are going to be big challenges ahead, and Italy is as big as any for us, but we’ll grow as a squad for that."

All 23 players have featured regularly in the past four matches, and Phillips has underlined the performance-related nature of his squad.

"There is consistency, but the players are aware there’s strong competition for places," says the head coach.

"Their performances are driven by that. They’ve been rewarded for continuing to push themselves to keep hold of their jerseys."

More familiar with Italian rugby than many, having coached Aironi and Viadana, Phillips is under no illusions about the strength of the Azzurre.

"They’re very, very good, but the focus for us is really on ourselves," he said.

"We’ve been improving our in-game management, which was evidenced in our game against Ireland a couple of weeks ago in Dublin, but we have to ensure we get our game right this Saturday."WALES TEAM TO FACE ITALY:15 Dyddgu Hywel (Scarlets)

14 Elen Evans (Scarlets)

13 Kerin Lake (Ospreys)

12 Robyn Wilkins (Ospreys)

11 Adi Taviner (Ospreys

10 Elinor Snowsill (Newport Gwent Dragons)

9 Keira Bevan (Ospreys)

1 Caryl Thomas (Scarlets)

2 Carys Phillips (c) (Ospreys)

3 Amy Evans (Ospreys)

4 Rebecca Rowe (Newport Gwent Dragons)

5 Mel Clay (Ospreys)

6 Sioned Harries (Scarlets)

7 Rachel Taylor (Scarlets)

8 Shona Powell-Hughes (Ospreys)

Replacements

16 Lowri Harries (Scarlets)

17 Cerys Hale (Newport Gwent Dragons)

18 Gwenllian Pyrs (Scarlets)

19 Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys)

20 Alisha Butchers (Scarlets)

21 Sian Moore (Newport Gwent Dragons)

22 Gemma Rowland (Newport Gwent Dragons)

23 Jessica Kavanagh-Williams (Scarlets)