Bevan to start at fly-half for Wales in WXV opener against South Africa

Keira Bevan will play at fly-half for Wales in their WXV opener against South Africa in Cardiff on Friday, having been selected to wear 10 for the match; Bevan has made 83 appearances for Wales, all of which have been at scrum-half.

The 29-year-old has been training at fly-half during pre-season and will partner Seren Lockwood in the halves. Wales' regular 10, Lleucu George, is named among the replacements, while Kayleigh Powell is no longer an option after being ruled out of the campaign with a hamstring injury. Head coach Sean Lynn has included three uncapped players in his matchday squad, with Amy Williams named on the wing after a two-try display in June's uncapped Barbarians fixture. Front row forwards Elan Jones and Shanelle Williams are poised to win first caps from the bench.

Lynn described his team selection as "exciting" and said the new half-back partnership had been "working very well". He said: "We know how much of a threat Seren was in the the Barbarians fixture and Keira has been very good in training,". Lynn added: "When she (Bevan) played in the Bristol Bears game [at 10], she looked very comfortable there "From being a nine, she's used to being the general and will boss that on and off the pitch and drive our attack as well."

Lynn also expressed enthusiasm about his back three and particularly singled out Lisa Neumann at full-back. "We've got to get Lisa Neumann with hands on ball, she is such a running threat," he added. "She's been working on her backfield positioning and has got a pretty big boot as well, and if you're looking at the last line of defence, you don't get any more physical than Lisa Neumann."

Co-captains Alex Callender and Kate Williams will make a rare appearance together after overcoming injuries and are joined in the back row by Bryonie King. Maisie Davies has been selected ahead of Gwenllian Pyrs at loose-head prop and packs down in the front row with Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu. Georgia Evans and Branwen Metcalfe are named as the starting locks.

The reshuffled back line sees Lisa Neumann at full-back with Seren Singleton on the other wing, while Courtney Keight and Freya Bell form the centre partnership with Carys Cox unavailable for selection. There is no place in the matchday squad for Bethan Lewis and Hannah Dallavalle, who have both previously captained the side, and three-time Olympian Jasmine Joyce also misses out.

Wales: Neumann; Singleton, Keight, Bell, A Williams; Bevan, Lockwood; Davies, K Jones, Tuipulotu, B Metcalfe, Evans, K Williams (co-capt), Callender (co-capt), King

Replacements: S Williams, Pyrs, E Jones, Crabb, Aiono, A Joyce, George, De Vera

The WXV opener will be broadcast live on BBC One, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app, with live text coverage.