Comments on: Any weaknesses in the Red Roses’ line-up? http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2020/01/24/any-weaknesses-in-the-red-roses-line-up/ Champions Of Women's Sport Sun, 13 Oct 2024 16:38:08 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.1.16 By: Bruce Perkins http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2020/01/24/any-weaknesses-in-the-red-roses-line-up/#comment-2345 Sun, 26 Jan 2020 12:42:38 +0000 http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/?p=33540#comment-2345 Yes, there are lots of fascinating possibilities available to Middleton. The trouble is, the crunch game comes first up. He must pick the side he can trust to produce the goods.
In her latest pod Rachael Burford said the No 15 must be safe under the high ball, hence Sarah McKenna. I’ve seen both Dow and Attwood fail in this respect this season.
Wing is a major source of strength with Thompson, Breach, Smith and Dow. Hard to leave out a player who scored 2 unforgettable tries in a world cup final against the world’s best, and played Woodman off the park in Rotorua. Sad thing is: wingers rarely figure on the bench. If they can offer a second option (full-back) they have a chance. That means Dow.
A concern is No 7. I think the management prefer specialist flankers. Once Marlie Packer is counted out, that leaves only Vicky Fleetwood with the necessary pace and know-how on the open-side. Of the ones you mention, Cokayne fits the bill excellently. But she’s 1st-choice hooker. Has Kerr ever played back-row?
Beckett was only filling in in the second row, surely.
Yes, lots of talent waiting in the wings. Makes you wonder who’ll retain their contracts next year. Harriet Millar-Mills was invited in to join the test squad recently.

]]> By: Mike http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2020/01/24/any-weaknesses-in-the-red-roses-line-up/#comment-2344 Fri, 24 Jan 2020 13:30:23 +0000 http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/?p=33540#comment-2344 Sarah Becket could also move up to the 2nd row, she played there for Quins recently, plus im sure there are other players outside the squad that would step in and do a good job. If back row players do fill in at lock, a number of front row players (Shaunagh Brown, Heather Kerr, Amy Cockayne) could cover the back row.

As for full back, I would quite like to see Kelly Smith, Abi Dowd and Jess Breach given a run out as the back three, because when they played there at U20’s they were devastating. Emily Scarratt played full back when the team won the world cup in 2014. Lucy Attwood is another possibility at 15.

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