Wales make four changes for World Cup meeting with Samoa

Wales head coach Tom Brindle has made four personnel changes to his squad for Friday's second World Cup game against Samoa at the CommBank Stadium in Sydney (07:45 BST).

Wales are competing at their first World Cup and lost their Group A opener 70-6 to England in Perth. Samoa were beaten 40-0 by hosts Australia in their opening match. Brown scores stunner as England thrash debutants Wales.

Wing Sian Williams will make her Wales debut in the match against Samoa, while Zoe Heeley shifts from centre to the other wing. Jade Mullen, described in the squad announcement as captain of the Army rugby union team, comes into the side for her first appearance of the tournament.

Amberley Ruck replaces Ffion Lewis at stand-off, and Huddersfield Giants prop Gracie Hobbs has been named in the matchday 17. Wales captain Bethan Dainton represented Wales in rugby union before swapping to rugby league.

The selected starting XV is: Leanne Burnell, Zoe Heeley, Jade Mullen, Hannah Bluck, Sian Williams, Amberley Ruck, Tayla Preston, Agnes Wood, Jasmine Gibbons, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton (capt).

Interchanges: Carys Marsh, Kathryn Salter, Erin Williams, Gracie Hobbs. Reserves: Ffion Lewis, Lucia Davies, Frances Layton. Listen to live commentary on every men's match, and key women's matches - with coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.

On paper the game against Samoa is Wales' best chance of picking up a result, before they face reigning world champions Australia, also in Sydney, on Sunday.