WALES boss Ioan Cunningham has dangled the carrot of places in the squad for WXV2 after ringing the changes for Friday’s clash with Scotland in Edinburgh.

The Welsh women will take on the Scots at Hive Stadium (kick-off 7.35pm) in their first game since beating Spain 52-20 to secure a spot at WXV2 in South Africa.

Head coach Cunningham has made nine changes to his team and given youth a chance, with three players set for their international debuts.

Experienced scrum half Keira Bevan will captain the side for the first time for the visit to the Scottish capital and flanker Alisha Butchers will win her 50th Wales cap off the bench.

Prop Maisie Davies, hooker Rosie Carr and lock Alaw Pyrs, who all played for Wales U20s in the recent Six Nations in Italy, are poised to make their Wales debuts off the bench.

Bevan will form an experienced half-back partnership with Robyn Wilkins, with experienced centre Kerin Lake and Meg Webb in midfield.

Lock Gwen Crabb returns from injury and will partner Natalia John at second row, while Kate Williams will join No 8 Gwennan Hopkins, making her first start for her country, alongside Bethan Lewis in the backrow.

Jasmine Joyce returns to the starting line-up after becoming the first player to represent Great Britian at three separate Olympics at Paris 2024.

She is joined in by full-back Jenny Hesketh and wing Catherine Richards in an exciting back three to take on the Scots.

Gwenllian Pyrs, Dragons hooker Molly Reardon and Sisilia Tuipulotu make up the Wales front row.

Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs look set to become the first sisters to play for Wales since twin sisters and props Claire and Louise Horgan played against France in 2008.

Ioan Cunningham, Wales head coach, said: “It’s the start of a new season and we know we need to expose more players to the demands and intensity of Test match rugby.

“We need to grow the leadership group in the squad and to share those responsibilities because having more leaders in the squad can only benefit us with the Rugby World Cup now less than a year away.

“We have given some new players who have impressed in training and in the recent Under 20s Six Nations an opportunity to show what they can do at the highest level.

“As coaches and staff, we know we need to build the squad’s depth and need competition for places.

“Scotland are a team we know well, and all the players are aware there are places for WXV2 in South Africa at stake.

“Keira Bevan is an experienced international and has been handed the captaincy for this game and Maisie Davies, Rosie Carr and Alaw Pyrs, who trained with us during the Six Nations, all warrant their selection in this squad after the recent U20s Six Nations in Parma.

“Alaw playing for Wales, alongside her older sister Gwenllian, will be a special moment for their family and for all of us.”

Wales will wear their new change kit against the Scots before pulling on red jerseys – and shorts – against Australia at Rodney Parade on Friday, September 20.

Wales: Jenny Hesketh, Catherine Richards, Meg Webb, Kerin Lake, Jasmine Joyce, Robyn Wilkins, Keira Bevan (captain): Gwenllian Pyrs, Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Natalia John, Gwen Crabb, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Gwennan Hopkins Replacements: Rosie Carr, Maisie Davies, Donna Rose Alaw Pyrs, Alisha Butchers, Sian Jones, Lleucu George, Nel Metcalfe.