All six nations have reasons for walking on the sunny side of the street. All six will pick large training squads, a feature that allows the selectors room for manoeuvre, room to correct minor errors and fine-tune the machine.
Ireland
Ireland, whose training squad is already known, will be buoyed by the review published last Friday. The most surprising detail was the absence of certain familiar names, Sene Naoupu, Anna Caplice and especially Cliodhna Moloney. Naoupu was reaching the last stages of a distinguished career, but the other two players have proved their qualities time and again at international and club level.
Every Irish ex-international would agree it’s high time the team restored its position as one of the big beasts on the scene.
Wales
Wales also have a new set-up with the longed-for contracts now in place. It is much too soon for them to take full effect, but the mood must be upbeat. We still don’t know the precise terms of the review into the murky events of the past two or three years, but the leading players fill the top teams in the Premier 15s, so should be able to transfer that level of skill to the international stage.
Italy
Italy aren’t quite the source of optimism they want to be. They will have been concerned at loose talk about their menfolk getting the elbow, but the 6N committee at once rejected the suggestion, and the Azzurre have a far more distinguished record than the men. Like all their opponents bar Ireland they have a double target in view, the 6N and the World Cup. Their best play is good enough to undo most defences. Di Giandomenico’s big concern is to widen the competition for places; too many players have too few rivals of the same standard. It will take a few more years of development to achieve permanent improvement.
The FIR is taking a proactive stance.
Scotland
Most buoyant of all must be the Scots, though they will be aware of the narrowness of recent victories. Their latest, by contrast a runaway win over Colombia, was a banker; the previous one, against Ireland at Parma, was far too close for comfort. For them the 6N matches will be test-runs for the RWC more than for their five opponents. The competition for places has increased; the need for the strongest bench possible is paramount.
England and France
The two perpetual race leaders, England and France, are still purring from their autumn deeds against the invaders from the South Seas. Once more the crucial battle will be the Crunch, this time in Round Five in France. There are few reasons why the hosts can’t beat the guests for the first time in nine attempts. The management has gone on inserting new talent into the frame. The World Player of the (2010) Decade, Jessy Trémoulière, found herself demoted to third choice No 15 behind Emilie Boulard and Chloé Jacquet, riches indeed. Les Bleues will prove as stern a challenge to the Red Roses as ever.
Who will Simon Middleton choose?
I’d better stick to the line I’ve taken before, to avoid criticism of swaying in the wind.
First, to repeat the opening point, it’s much easier picking a training squad of 38 than a final 30. Those 30 will take a huge step forward towards the RWC Grand Ball in the autumn. Only the as yet unknown summer programme lies in their path as a possible Becher’s Brook.
Up front the big question is whether Shaunagh Brown can at last bring her scrummaging technique up to the standard of the rest of her game. It has taken several seasons since she was asked to move forward from her devastating presence at No 6. Bryony Cleall faces the same challenge, and she has been hindered by injury over the period of her transition from the back row. Their prospects aren’t helped by the arrival of Maud Muir, who has the added bonus of being adaptable. She played loose then tight-head in the latest round.
The position of third hooker is up for grabs. It was most recently owned by Connie Powell against the USA. The selectors rarely cast a player out on minimum evidence, so Gloucester-Hartpury may have more caps to enjoy.
In the second row the young Morwenna Talling has been missing ever since she was given her chance two years ago. The experienced Cath O’Donnell would surely be Middleton’s specialist third choice, if he doesn’t leave the job to the versatile Poppy Cleall and Harriet Millar-Mills.
He has more talent in the backrow than is fair. Until he reduces the choices to 30, all the competitors can line up expectantly.
The choice of a third No 9 is fascinating. The obvious name is Mo Hunt, but she has suffered a long period out with injury. If she is considered fit, it’s hard to imagine a young prospect like Ella Wyrwas or Lucy Packer getting the nod in her place.
The Red Roses proved they could perform perfectly well without Emily Scarratt at No 13, thank you. The midfield axis of Harrison-Rowland-Aitchison showed distinct promise, and they are versatile enough to switch positions as needed. And the AP 15s has shown there are any number of talented centres to turn to, like Tatyana Heard and Phoebe Murray, to provide more umph to proceedings.
In the back three Heather Cowell was brought in as a late candidate and showed no sign of being overwhelmed by the occasion. It is sad and strange how often the choice of the back three has been limited by absence. Currently Jess Breach, Ellie Kildunne and Sarah McKenna all are out of action.
New Faces?
The underlying issue is whether it is fair to introduce new uncapped players to the mix at this stage. If their job is merely to act as tackling bags till the squad of 30 is finalised, that doesn’t seem fair or productive. Big clear-outs tend to happen post-World Cup; that is when new talent can make its mark.
Middleton has been introducing small numbers of new faces to the squad over the build-up period. The latest starting XV, against USA, was noticeably young; only three players claimed 50 caps, Lydia Thompson on the day. They put together 89 points. That was Middleton’s deliberate hunt for a fresh crop; there was plenty there, but hardly enough to oust the sitting tenants.
