WALES Women will entertain Crawshay's in Ebbw Vale as part of their five-match autumn series.

Head coach Rowland Phillips will return to Eugene Cross Park, where he was on the management team in 2009/10, for the fixture on Saturday, November 23.

Wales will face a team coached by legends Liza Burgess and Rachel Taylor in Ebbw Vale with Phillips hoping to put on a show for stars of the future.

"It's great to see the Crawshay's game will be played in Ebbw Vale," said the dual-code international.

"Girls' rugby is on the up around Wales and the Blaenau Gwent area is a particular hot bed with the Jesters Hub and girls showing huge interest in playing rugby in schools and colleges.

"Hopefully, by hosting the game at Eugene Cross Park we will engage even more supporters in what we are trying to do in growing the game."

Burgess, who was inducted into World Rugby's hall of fame last year, is thrilled to be taking on the national side on familiar territory.

The former forward is from Newport, lives in Cwmbran and went to St Joseph's High School.

She said: "As a Gwent girl, I'm thrilled that we are playing our first women's Crawhay's match in the Dragons region.

"We want as many people as possible – men and women of all ages from throughout Blaenau Gwent, the Dragons region and beyond to come along and see what women's rugby at this level is all about.

"It's set to be an exciting match – we are confident of fielding a strong side to challenge Wales as they prepare to take on the Barbarians."

Wales kick off their autumn campaign against Spain in Madrid on Sunday, November 3.

They head to Dublin to face Ireland on Sunday, November 10 and to Glasgow to tackle Scotland on Sunday, November 17.

The Crawshay's encounter comes the weekend before the historic clash at Principality Stadium as the first part of a Wales double-header against the Barbarians.

Meanwhile, the WRU has launched four skills development centres for girls in years seven to 13, including newcomers to the game.

Coaches at each of the centres – USW Sports Park in Treforest, Llandarcy Academy of Sport, Parc y Scarlets training barn and Parc Eirias – will deliver an eight-week programme from early October based on core skills, technique and conditioning.

WRU general manager for women and girls, Charlotte Wathan said: "Demand from girls to play rugby is very much on the up.

"The development centres will provide a new opportunity for girls, wherever they live in Wales, to get involved with the game or improve as players, whether or not they are already playing formats of rugby within school, club or female hub."