Rachel Taylor will again lead the Welsh women’s team into the 2016 RBS Women’s Six Nations with six uncapped players included among the 28-strong squad.

As well as competing for the Six Nation's trophy, the campaign provides an opportunity for Wales, Italy and Scotland to nail down qualification for WRWC 2017.

England, Ireland and France have automatically qualified for the tournament through their WRWC 2014 ranking and the top two remaining Six Nations teams over last season and this, will also compete in Dublin in 2017.

Wales are currently second in that qualification process, Italy leading the way with three wins and Scotland third without a win.

A winning start against Ireland at Donnybrook on 6 February would put Wales in an almost unassailable position unless Scotland can spring a major surprise and end a six-year winless run in the competition with victory over reigning world champions England.

Alisha Butchers, Bethan Dainton, Cerys Hale, Cara Hope, Siwan Lillicrap and Rhian Nokes will all be hoping to earn their first caps during the tournament which will see Wales travel to Ireland and England and host Scotland, France and Italy at The Gnoll, in Neath.

The 32-year-old Taylor, who went through 50 caps last year, will be looking to build on the great start her Welsh team enjoyed in the 2015 campaign when they beat England 13-0 at St Helen's, Swansea, and then Scotland 39-3 at the Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld. After that, though, they lost 28-7 in France, were beaten 20-0 by Ireland in Swansea in the Triple Crown decider and fell 22-5 in Italy to finish fifth.

Momentum

"We are looking to improve on last year's campaign and recreate the momentum we built at the start with two wins in a row. We are targeting our home games against Scotland, France and Italy and we'd love to notch our first win on English soil and make it successive victories over the world champions for the first time in our history," said Wales head coach Rhys Edwards.

"We have a good blend of experience and some talented newcomers and all of the uncapped players have worked hard to get into the squad. Alisha Butchers has progressed from the U18 pathway and played for the Wales Sevens side in Dubai last month.

"Bethan Dainton has proved herself to be a consistent try scorer on the sevens circuit and played for Wales in all the European tournaments in 2015 and Rhian Nokes makes the national 15-a-side squad for the first time having been a mainstay of the sevens side in recent seasons.

"Cerys Hale has forced her way back into contention after missing out on a cap when she was included in the Rugby World Cup squad in 2014, Cara Hope is a product of the ever improving regional programme and Ospreys skipper Siwan Lillicrap has worked hard for her opportunity with consistently good performances."

Prior to their Six Nations clash in Dublin, Wales will play Ireland in a warm-up game at Ystrad Mynach on 24 January.

Wales women squad

Backs: Keira Bevan (Ospreys/Skewen), Ffion Bowen (Ospreys/Maesteg Celtic), Bethan Dainton (Dragons/Bristol), Amy Day (Dragons/Llandaff North), Elen Evans (Scarlets/Caernarfon), Dyddgu Hywel (Scarlets/Pontyclun), Hannah Jones (Scarlets/Penybanc), Kerin Lake (Ospreys/Skewen), Rhian Nokes (Ospreys/Maesteg Celtic), Gemma Rowland (Dragons/Wasps), Elinor Snowsill (Dragons/Bristol), Adi Taviner (Ospreys/Skewen), Robyn Wilkins (Ospreys/Llandaff North).

Forwards: Alisha Butchers (Scarlets/Penybanc), Melissa Clay (Ospreys/Pencoed Phoenix), Catrin Edwards (Scarlets/Llandaff North), Amy Evans (Ospreys/Skewen), Cerys Hale (Dragons/Pontyclun), Sioned Harries (Scarlets/Whitland), Cara Hope (Ospreys/Pontyclun), Siwan Lillicrap (Ospreys/Skewen), Carys Phillips (Ospreys/Skewen), Shona Powell-Hughes (Ospreys/Skewen), Amy Price (Ospreys/Skewen), Rebecca Rowe (Dragons/Richmond), Rachel Taylor (capt, Dragons Caernarfon), Sian Williams (Dragons/Worcester), Megan York (Dragons/Ynysddu).