All twelve head coaches taking their squad to the World Cup face the same urgent question: how to extract the maximum benefit from the tiny number of warm-up games they have available – at the most three.
As Simon Middleton announces his team to face the USA at Exeter on Saturday, we can see how his mind has been working.
All the evidence points towards two safe home wins (the other versus Wales (details below). So does he take the opportunity to give more on-field experience to his (relatively) less experienced players or send out his strongest possible Fifteen? He admitted a long while ago that he knew his favoured pick, but of course his lips were sealed.
Competition is so fierce that outstanding players would inevitably have to warm the bench. One or two might even fail to make the 23.
Now we know
As we should have known all along, he has gone largely for players who need to make a statement. The classic example is Tatyana Heard who hasn’t been capped for three-and-a-half years. She has been playing so thoroughly well for Gloucester-Hartpury that she was brought into the England 7s squad for the Commonwealth Games. Now she finds herself operating next to Emily Scarratt, but in a position that is under intense competition, Helena Rowland and Holly Aitchison both having to pretend they don’t mind being consigned to the bench.
Middleton’s strategy is most clearly shown in the number of caps gained. In amongst the large numbers, led by the skipper Scarratt with 101, there are no fewer than four starters in single figures (+ four more on the bench). They are being given every opportunity to gain on-field experience before the flight to Aotearoa in the middle of this new month.
The new-look front-row will have to prove its worth against the formidable Hope Rogers, who seems to improve with every passing season. She scores tries as readily as Sarah Bern, who is surplus to requirements on this occasion.
We can safely assume that the other names missing from roll-call are dead certs when it comes to the big games next month. Players like Bern, Marlie Packer, Abbie Ward and Sarah Hunter will magically reappear.
We have to feel sorry for Lydia Thompson, who falls victim to Worcester’s financial woes. The women Warriors are no longer able to train flat out as the club cannot afford full medical cover for them. Jo Yapp is striving to put alternative processes in place.
Here is the squad:
15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 23 caps)
14. Jess Breach (Saracens, 22 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (captain; Loughborough Lightning, 101 caps)
12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 4 caps)
11. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps)
10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 38 caps)
9. Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 59 caps)
1. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 28 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 62 caps)
3. Bryony Cleall (Wasps, 6 caps)
4. Rosie Galligan (Harlequins, 6 caps)
5. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 19 caps)
6. Zoe Aldcroft (vice-captain; Gloucester-Hartpury, 30 caps)
7. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 3 caps)
8. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 55 caps)
Finishers
16. Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury, 4 caps)
17. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 9 caps)
18. Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins, 26 caps)
19. Morwenna Talling (Loughborough Lightning, 3 caps)
20. Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens, 81 caps)
21. Leanne Infante (Saracens, 51 caps)
22. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 15 caps)
23. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 8 caps)
Coverage:
Saturday 3 September, Sandy Park, Exeter. ITV4, 2.30. KO 3.00
Second test v Wales, 14 September Ashton Gate, Bristol, Kick-Off 7.30
