Wales lock Crabb to lead from front for Thunder

Lock Gwen Crabb will captain Brython Thunder for the first time against Clovers on Sunday (12:00 GMT) after her decision to return to Wales.

The 26-year-old, who has won 39 caps and played in the last two World Cups, left Gloucester-Hartpury last year.

Crabb signed for Thunder while recovering from a knee injury and will lead a side featuring eight internationals for round three of Celtic Challenge at the Arms Park.

Natalia John joins her in the second row while centre Courtney Keight has been drafted in from Sale Sharks to make her Thunder debut alongside Hannah Bluck in midfield.

Former Wales captain Rhian Bowden, who won 49 caps, makes her debut at hooker after being called up from Senghenydd Sirens.

Open-side flanker Lucy Isaac makes her first start of the season alongside Jess Rogers and Welsh international Branwen Metcalfe in the back row.

Thunder started with a 36-17 defeat by Glasgow Warriors at Parc y Scarlets and lost 38-7 to Gwalia Lightning in the festive derby in Cardiff.

Head coach Ashley Beck said: “Clovers finished second in the Celtic Challenge last season, and we know they will provide a stern challenge, but we are at home at Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday.

“To have experienced Welsh internationals, like Gwen Crabb, Courtney Keight and Hannah Bluck available has allowed us to make several changes.

“We expect them to bring some real energy and experience to the side and add to the exciting young players who have really impressed so far in this campaign.

“We showed enough in the Welsh derby to show we are a moving in the right direction, and we created enough opportunities against Gwalia, and we just need to convert them into points.”

Lightning will attempt to build on their derby win when taking on Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium on Saturday (12:30 GMT).

There are two changes to the XV with Nikita Prothero coming in for GB Sevens player Nia Fajeyisan, who suffered an ankle injury at the Arms Park, while Anwen Owen gets the nod in the back row.

Lightning head coach Catrina Nicholas-McLaughlin said: “Glasgow are level with us on points in the table and we are expecting a major test. We have shown we can score tries and know we will need to do that against Glasgow.

“We have shown playing away from home doesn’t faze us and we were unlucky not to get more out of our away trip against Clovers in round one.

“We are still one of the youngest sides in the league, but we have a lot of players who have Celtic Challenge experience and have used it as a springboard for international recognition.”

Brython Thunder (v Clovers): A Williams; Tutt, Bluck, Keight, Singleton; Marshall, Lockwood; Orrin, Bowden, E Jones, Crabb (capt), John, Rogers, Isaac, B Metcalfe.

Replacements: A Morgan, M Lewis, Watkins, R Davies, F Jones, F Lewis, Bush, Healan.

Gwalia Lightning (v Glasgow Warriors): Richards, Greenway, Webster, Thomas, Prothero; C Hughes, S Jones; M Davies, Reardon, Hill, Pyrs, Vucaj, E Jones, Owen, King (capt).

Replacements: Crabb, Cuming, Scoble, Terry, Pearce, Bevans, McMullen, C Lewis