While nobody wishes to see players injured and all at Sportin Wales wish both wing Jasmine Joyce and hooker Kelsey Jones swift and full recoveries, it does give others an opportunity.

Having been names in Wales’ 23 to face England on Saturday both Joyce and Jones were forced to pull out with hamstring and calf strains respectively.

Both are experienced members of Wales’ squad with Jones approaching 50 caps while Joyce has 36 caps whilst balancing competing for Great Britain in the last two Olympics in rugby sevens.

In their place is an opportunity for 30-year-old Lisa Neumann on the wing whilst 20-year-old Molly Reardon is set to make her debut off the bench in the 16 shirt as replacement hooker.

Neumann is an experienced international with 39 caps to her name having also played for Sale and current club Gloucester-Hartpury, but what of Reardon?

In July 2023, Reardon was lining up for the under 20s against Canada, not at hooker but at scrumhalf, in doing so she was starting ahead of Sian Jones who makes her first start for Wales senior side this weekend.

So why the change? For April’s magazine we asked Reardon’s coach at Cardiff Met and Pontyclun Falcons and former Wales flanker Lisa Newton that exact question.

“The positional change came with conversations at the end of last season,” said Newton.

“Although playing u20s at scrum half she wasn’t convinced she was reaching her potential.

“Molly also enjoys the physicality of being a forward, so the move to hooker happened at preseason and Molly has taken to it like a duck to water.

“Having had the experience of playing scrumhalf and now being part of the pack, I think it means Molly has the foundations to understand how her role fits into the wider team.”

Reardon recently showcased her skills for Gwalia Lightning in the Celtic Challenge, scoring in their 43-5 win over Glasgow.

Now Newton is excited to see the skills she has seen at club and university level on the international scene.

“Molly Reardon is an absolute machine,” said Newton.

“Her work rate and ability to produce high quality repeated efforts is so impressive.

“She has a no-nonsense attitude about her and is able to lift the moral and standards of those around her.”

Wales team to face England

Hesketh; Neumann, H. Jones, Lake, Cox; George, S. Jones; Pyrs, Phillips, Rose, Fleming, Evans, Williams, Callender, Lewis.

Replacements: Reardon, Constable, Tuipulotu, John, Butchers, Bevan, Powell, Metcalfe.