Women's Six Nations: Underdogs Wales 'ready to rip into France' - Kayleigh Powell
Guinness Six Nations: Wales v France |
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Venue: Cardiff Arms Park Date: Sunday, 21 April Kick-off: 15:15 BST |
Coverage: Watch live on BBC One Wales, BBC iPlayer and online from 15:00 BST; listen on BBC Radio Wales & Radio Cymru; text commentary, highlights and report on BBC Sport website and app. Highlights on Scrum V Six Nations, Sunday, 21 April, BBC Two Wales from 18:00 BST and later on demand. |
Full-back Kayleigh Powell says despite recent results Wales "need to remember how good a team we are".
Wales are winless so far in this year's Women's Six Nations having lost to Scotland, England and Ireland.
They are in desperate need of a response when they take on France at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday.
Powell makes her first Wales start since the Rugby World Cup and is one of seven changes from last weekend's disappointing 36-5 defeat in Cork.
"Obviously we were really gutted after the Ireland game, but that has spurred us on even more to give it everything against France," Powell told BBC Sport Wales.
Wales are back to being underdogs as they go up against a French side once again poised to challenge England for the title, but Powell says that is a tag they are comfortable with.
"Going in as underdogs relieves a little bit of pressure on us, but we've got a lot of pressure on ourselves to perform better than we did against Ireland," she said.
"We're not expected to win, all the pressure is on France, but we've definitely still got to turn up which is obviously what we didn't do against Ireland."
After what head coach Ioan Cunningham called an "honest" review this week, Powell says they have gone back to basics.
"I think we need to go back to getting our confidence and back ourselves," she said.
"We need to remember how good a team we are when we're all on the right page and giving each other 100%."
Powell and wing Courtney Keight are back in the starting XV after recovering from long-term anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injures.
"Rehab is never the best thing to do, you play rugby to play rather than be in the gym, but it's part of the process unfortunately," Powell said.
"It's so exciting to be back now and be ready to rip into France."
Powell, like Jasmine Joyce, is on a hybrid contract with the Welsh Rugby Union and GB Sevens.
And despite her lengthy spell on the sidelines, Powell hopes to impress selectors for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
"It's something I've always dreamt of as a kid, so to actually have that opportunity and be close to it is even more exciting," Powell said.
"I'm just going to work hard and keep pushing to try and get in."
