News that Giselle Mather is to become the new DoR of Ealing Trailfinders brings with it all sorts of exciting ramifications.
First, I hinted at the rapid disintegration of Wasps, especially when Mather announced her resignation on 15 July. Many players were leaving the club.
Trailfinders’ ground lies only a couple of miles from Twyford Avenue, and Wasps did play a solitary game at Vallis Way against Loughborough Lightning in 2018.
ET are an ambitious club; they announced plans to launch a women’s section, with a view to applying for membership of the Premier 15s.
I suggested at the time that they would find life difficult – 1. They would struggle to find enough players of the requisite quality in West London, an area already covered by Quins and Wasps; 2. They were not a Gallagher Premiership club, handicapped by the limited capacity of their ground.
But the appointment of two distinguished ex-England internationals, Kim Oliver and Kat Merchant to lead the two academies (Henley and Brunel) being set up, gave hope for a prosperous future.
Mather’s appointment alters affairs considerably. Wasps players who have not yet moved to pastures new could now make the short hop across from Acton to Ealing. There they could enjoy facilities more in keeping with their status.
Is it just possible (and legal?) that the Prem 15s executive might let Trailfinders simply replace Wasps in the next season’s schedule? If not, then Wasps are likely to face a very uncomfortable ride through the 2022-23 season.
Whichever way the cookie crumbles, it adds huge excitement and uncertainty to the immediate future of the league.
All we can do for the present is to wish Mather the best of good fortune. She has a coaching record second to none; her clubs have tended to win things and enjoy themselves in the process.