Whilst the men's team prepare to take on their old rivals, Wales Deaf, for the Broadstreet cup at the end of the month, England Deaf Women's team will also be in action, as they take on Deri Diamonds at the famous ground on the 27th January.

Fresh from a hugely successful 2018, whereby England won the inaugral World Deaf 7s Championship, in addition to a famous victory over the full Bulgarian International side, Coach Ben Mousley has named a 23 player squad who he is confident can get a positive result.

"Of course, there is plenty of competition for places at the moment, especially considering the success of the last 12 months, but we are fully focussed on the task ahead for what will no doubt be a really tough game against a well established side."

Mousley added "the back bone of the squad, including captain Gina Iaquaniello and vice captain Steph Hanratty, will again be present as we also look forward to the introduction of a number of newer players to the squad, who have been working incredibly hard to be named."

"This is another fantastic step forward for Women's Deaf Rugby, and we hope to come away with a win".

EDRU Head Coach Sean Fletcher also added "Additionally it is fantastic to have the women's team with us, we have worked hard to grow the squad from 5 to 40+ and by bringing them to Cardiff Arms Park we are working jointly with Wales Deaf to promote Women's Deaf Rugby, with the ultimate aim of to establish a Welsh Women's Deaf Team."

EDRU Womens Squad: Zoe AUBERT (Risborough RFC - Buckinghamshire), Lianne BARCLAY (Sale 1861 - Cheshire), Lynn BRYANT (Harlow Ladies RFC - Essex), Kirsty CARLOS (Chard RFC -Somerset), Beth COOKE (Royston RFC - Hertfordshire), Ruth DIVES (Gordano RFC - Somerset), Danni DUNKIERT (Bury RUFC - Lancashire), Bex FRANCIS (Hillhead Jordanhill Women RFC -Glasgow), Steph HANRATTY (VC) (Bury St Edmunds RFC - Suffolk), Emma HENIGHAN (Bridgnorth RFC - Shropshire), Michelle HOLDSWORTH (Oldham RUFC - Lancashire), Molly HUSSELL (Cullumpton RFC - Devon), Gina IAQUANIELLO (C) (New Ash Green RFC - Kent), Cat JOHN (Hornets RFC - Somerset), Jeni KINGMAN (Henley Hawks RFC - Oxfordshire), Francesca KYLE (Risborough RFC - Buckinghamshire), Gloria MILLS (Ampthill RFC – Bedfordshire), Lynsey PHILLIPS (Barry RFC - Vale of Glamorgan), April PLATT (Long Eaton RFC - Derbyshire), Emma SMALL (Hornets RFC - Somerset), Sharn WATSON (New Ash Green RFC - Kent), Amy WHITTAKER (Boston RFC - Lincolnshire), Sophie WRIGHT (Oldham RUFC - Lancashire).

Updated 19:57 - 25 Jan 2019 by Sean Fletcher