Clay has spent the past three months playing in Spain.

She was introduced on Saturday at loosehead after 30 minutes with the score locked at nil-all and put the visitors on the front foot and scored a try.

"It was good having Candice Clay back. She literally came out of quarantine Saturday morning and played for us before she went home," Wildfires coach Brooke Saunders said. " She started at loose head to get the pack going forward and then I switched her to inside centre."

The Wildfires were without six Super W representatives.

"Our focus for the game was vibe and intent and we weren't bringing that at all in the first half," Saunders said. "With the wind and the rain, we were worried about dropping the ball. I told them to stop thinking about the weather and just play. Don't overthink it. They ran a lot harder and were more effective. Second half we dominated and scored 20 points."

The win moved the Wildfires into equal fourth alongside Gordon, but they have a game in hand against Western Sydney.

"It is pretty epic to be fourth but we will only get better," Saunders said.

READ MORE: COACH BACKS FRINGE PLAYERS TO STEP UP

The Wildfires are due to play Gordon on Saturday but the game is likely to be rescheduled.

As well as having six players - Ashleigh Walker, Kaitlan Leaney (NSW Waratahs), Janita Kareta, Ashley Marsters, Maryann Tuisalega (Melbourne Rebels) and Susannah Cooke (ACT Brumbies) - in the Super W state side, the wildfires have six in the Presidents XV.

Emma Bradford, Karen Nabularua, Candice Clay, Kate Holland, Trudi Peterson and Katie Sampford go into camp in Coffs Harbour on Monday ahead of their opening game against the Western Force on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Nelson Bay product Maya Stewart scored a hat-trick of tries to steer NSW to an emphatic 47-26 win over Queensland in the opening clash last Saturday. The Brumbies beat the Rebels 30-5 in the other series opener.

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