Bell confident Wales can get over the line against Italy
Freya Bell is confident Wales have the players at their disposal to finish the 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series off with a win when they take on Italy on Thursday.
The competition hosts bounced back from an opening day loss at the hands of Ireland with a standout 52-29 victory over Scotland on Friday evening.
Advertisement
Savannah Picton-Powell's brilliant brace and tries from Mollie Wilkinson, Seren Singleton, skipper Branwen Metcalfe, Rosie Carr, Dali Hopkins and Evie Hill put the game beyond the reach of a spirited Scotland side.
'I was just really proud of how we went into the game [against Scotland],' she said.
'In the first game, we lacked intent and execution, and we had a lot of set pieces that we couldn't finish off.
'Whereas, in the second game, everyone chilled out, we started off strong and we did what we needed to do.
'In this next game against Italy, we want to put together a strong game for 80 minutes.
Advertisement
'If we can start this game how we did the last, then we've got a good chance.'
Italy let slip a 15-0 half-time lead against England to lose 36-20, having also tasted a 45-6 defeat to France in the first round.
Despite the loss to England, the Azzurine showed signs of their physicality last Friday, with captain Elena Errichiello's try off the back of a maul, a demonstration of how dangerous Italy's forward pack can be.
And Bell said everyone in the Wales camp is wary of the threat they can pose.
'They've got some very big ball carriers,' she continued.
'We know that defensively we need to be connected and work well together.
Advertisement
'If we have any gaps in our backline, then they'll be looking to break through.
'We need to stay alive and keep our eyes up. In the last game we dipped a bit, and if we do that again, Italy will take that as an advantage and try and get on top.'
Bell was also full of praise for teammate Picton-Powell's performance during the Scotland win.
The pair were the centre partnership for the Cardiff Metropolitan University side that won the Women's BUCS Super Rugby Milk Championship title in April.
'She's a very good rugby player and she's good at being in the right places,' added Bell.
'It's nice having Sav playing outside of me. We've played together a lot before, like at uni so it's a nice combination we have.
Advertisement
'And if Sav has another confident game [against Italy], she'll get us over the line.'
Six Nations Women's Summer Series Round 3 fixtures on Thursday 17 July:
Scotland v Ireland – 13:00
Wales v Italy – 15:30
France v England – 18:00
Discover the future of international rugby at the 2025 Women's Summer Series – where rising stars shine. Follow the action live at U6N | SIX NATIONS - YouTube and on Instagram @u20sixnations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Euro 2025: England great Lucy Bronze had fractured tibia through entire title-winning tournament
BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — The pain for England defender Lucy Bronze playing the whole month with a fractured tibia ended with another Women's European Championship title on Sunday. Bronze revealed the extent of her leg injury after playing through the first period of extra time in England's eventual win on penalties over Spain. The game was tied 1-1 before England retained its title, winning the shootout 3-1. 'I'll do anything to play for England, I've always said that,' said the 33-year-old great, who knew of the injury after a May 30 game against Portugal in the Nations League. 'I knew I was in a lot of pain at the end of the season. All the England players knew,' Bronze said of the secret issue. Bronze was praised for her inspiring "crazy mentality' by England coach Sarina Wiegman. ___ AP soccer: The Associated Press
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
England: Sarina Wiegman hails Hannah Hampton's Euro 2025 'fairytale'
Sarina Wiegman has hailed Hannah Hampton's journey at Euro 2025 as a 'fairytale'. Hampton enjoyed an incredible tournament after being made England's No1 on the eve of the Euros, with Mary Earps retiring. Hampton excelled throughout the Euros and was named player of the match in the final, saving two penalties as England beat Spain. And asked about Hampton's tournament, Wiegman said: 'Every player has their one story and journey and hers has been incredible. 'Starting the tournament and losing the first game, there was so much riding on every game, we had five finals. 'She had to step up and I think she has been amazing. It's a little bit like a fairytale to stop those two penalties in the final.' England's final victory over Spain was in keeping with their run during the knockout stages as they edged another rollercoaster game. Spain took the lead midway through the first half thanks to Mariona Caldentey, but the Lionesses fought back. Alessia Russo equalised early in the second half, heading home Chloe Kelly's cross, and England battled their way to extra-time. Hampton's heroics got England over the line and Wiegman says she always had faith that the Lionesses would be European champions. 'To be honest, tonight I didn't have that,' said Wiegman, when asked if she had any doubts that England could go all the way. 'I had a couple of times in the Sweden game and the Italy game and I thought: 'We might keep going home tomorrow'. 'But we still had a couple of minutes to go, it's getting tight. But it's not a lack of belief, it's like... we're getting really close now. We had to score. 'And against Sweden, of course, when we had the penalty shootout, when we missed a couple of penalties, we were lucky that they missed theirs.'
Associated Press
24 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Euro 2025: England great Lucy Bronze had fractured tibia through entire title-winning tournament
BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — The pain for England defender Lucy Bronze playing the whole month with a fractured tibia ended with another Women's European Championship title on Sunday. Bronze revealed the extent of her leg injury after playing through the first period of extra time in England's eventual win on penalties over Spain. The game was tied 1-1 before England retained its title, winning the shootout 3-1. 'I'll do anything to play for England, I've always said that,' said the 33-year-old great, who knew of the injury after a May 30 game against Portugal in the Nations League. 'I knew I was in a lot of pain at the end of the season. All the England players knew,' Bronze said of the secret issue. Bronze was praised for her inspiring 'crazy mentality' by England coach Sarina Wiegman. ___ AP soccer:
