The training squad of 37 that Simon Middleton has announced contains several pieces of heartening news.
Claudia Macdonald takes pride of place as she is restored to health after a career-threatening neck injury.
Second, the inclusion of Abby Dow after her broken leg in the Wales match. While we can’t assume she will be fully recovered, there’s no doubting the esteem Middleton holds her in. ‘If fit, will play’ is the clear message.
Third, the return from long-term imjury of Cath O’Donnell and Morwenna Tallling (both Loughborough Lightning locks). Middleton admires O’Donnell’s ‘workhorse’ capacities, a valuable addition to the skills arrayed by Abbie Wand and Zoe Aldcroft. Talling might have become a one- day wonder, introduced very young (too young?) to England colours, and in the engine-room of all places. But she is restored to the strength, her promise yet to be fully developed.
Other players who will be delighted to see their names included – in other words, those whose futures might have been less certain – include Tatyana Heard, Vicky Fleetwood, Bryony Cleall and even Shaunagh Brown.
Heard has been playing so well for Gloucester-Hartpury that she was invited into the England Sevens squad. It is four years since she made her debut against the USA.
One effect of her inclusion is the omission of another centre, Lagi Tuima. Sad as that is, it always seemed possible; for every plus mark she gained, there always seemed to be an error lurking around the corner.
No-one doubts Fleetwood’s qualities, but the competition for places in the back row grows ever tougher, and the two elements she can’t offer are size and weight. Cleall’s career has been plagued with injuries, so she has been restricted in her efforts to master the demands of tight-head. Had she remained a back-row player…
Exactly the same goes for Shaunagh Brown, a much admired player, who has taken a long time to acquire the same know-how.
Another to suffer Tuima’s fate is Harriet Miller-Mills, who might well have found as place as an experienced operator in the back five.
Macdonald’s return makes Lucy Packer’s retention more doubtful. There are four No 9s on the list.
37 – 32 = 5
Basic arithmetic tells us that bad news still awaits five of this training squad. We can all make our personal guesses, but let’s leave the decisions to the people who know best.
One important issue is the split between between backs and forwards. It is less central than it was with the smaller squads permitted in the past – 28 in 2017, 26 in 2014. With 32 flying out, there is much more room for manoeuvre, and the selectors have deliberately moved players around the squad. Helena Rowland is a prime example; in her short career to date she has worn the 10, 12, 13 and 15 shirts.
A ratio of 19 forwards:13 backs seems likely. Middleton learned the lesson of always having back- up available when Nolli Waterman sustained a head injury in the 2017 semi-final against France.
We can safely claim that never before have England selectors had such an array of talent at their disposal.
The Training Squad
Backs: Holly Aitchison (Saracens), Jess Breach (Harlequins), Abby Dow (Wasps), Zoe Harrison (Saracens), Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury), Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins), Claudia MacDonald (Wasps), Sarah McKenna (Saracens), Lucy Packer (Harlequins), Amber Reed (Bristol Bears), Leanne Infante (Bristol Bears), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning), Emma Sing (Gloucester- Hartpury), Lydia Thompson (Worcester Warriors)
(16)
Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury), Sarah Beckett (Harlequins), Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), Hannah Botterman (Saracens), Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins), Bryony Cleall (Wasps), Poppy Cleall (Saracens), Amy Cokayne (Harlequins), Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins). Lark Davies (Bristol Bears), Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens), Rosie Galligan (Harlequins), Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning), Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), Alex Matthews (Gloucester- Hartpury), Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning), Marlie Packer (Saracens), Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury), Morwenna Talling (Loughborough Lightning), Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears)
(21)
The clubs’ allocations break down like this:
Harlequins 8
Saracens 7
Gloucester-Hartpury 7
Bristol 6
Loughborough 6
Wasps 2
Worcester 1
