YORK Valkyrie Director of Rugby Lindsay Anfield has confirmed that she will hand Under 19 centre Chevelle Clarke her first-team debut in the Women’s Nines on Sunday.

Clarke, 17, earns her inclusion having impressed with the club’s newly-formed Under 19 side, and has spent the last month training with the first team.

The Valkyrie begin the defence of their Women’s Nines title against Barrow Raiders (10:30am), Hull FC (11:20am) and Workington Town (12:10pm) on Sunday, having triumphed over rivals Leeds Rhinos 7-0 in last year’s final after a bonus-zone try and conversion from Tara Jane Stanley.

Despite proving to be the match-winner, Stanley is among those to be rested, with Anfield explaining that the competition provides her with a fantastic opportunity to utilise her entire squad.

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“It’s a completely different type of game,” she admitted.

“We’ll be changing the team up a bit and resting some players that have played a lot of games on the bounce now and have picked up a few niggles.

“But then it gives the other players an opportunity to do that.

“It is a really deep squad this year, and everybody, after this weekend, will have had a run out, which is fantastic.

“It’s just good to see them all out there in different combinations and it’ll just be a good day to bring the squad together but playing an exciting brand of rugby.”

York Press: York Valkyrie Under 19s after their inaugural match against Huddersfield Giants last month.York Valkyrie Under 19s after their inaugural match against Huddersfield Giants last month. (Image: Andy Nelson)

Anfield has had no hesitation in handing Clarke her debut in the Nines, praising not just her quality, but commitment to the team, saying: “Chevelle has been training with the first-team for over a month.

“She’s always been in and around the environment here - when she plays she’s one to watch and she does stand out in that Under 19s squad.

“She has been a player that we’ve been watching closely for a while. Her commitment is second to none and she’s got a great attitude.

“It’s going to be a great occasion for her to get her first run-out for the Valkyrie.

“It’ll be great to reward her for her efforts and hand her a shirt this weekend.”

York Valkyrie Women's Nines preliminary squad: Butler, Clarke, Gale, Hendry, Hyde, Izumi, Kershaw, Lambert, Marshall, Peach, Renouf, Sanderson, Sharp, Smith, Taylor, Whitehead, Wood.