The Red Roses Squad to take on the World
Simon Middleon has made the toughest set of choices of his lengthy coaching career.
The 32 to be offered flight tickets to New Zealand:
Forwards
Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury), Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), Hannah Botterman (Saracens), Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins), Poppy Cleall (Saracens), Amy Cokayne (Harlequins), Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins), Lark Davies (Bristol Bears), Rosie Galligan (Harlequins), Sarah Hunter (captain, Loughborough Lightning), Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), Laura Keates (University of Worcester Warriors), 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)
Backs
Holly Aitchison (Saracens), Jess Breach (Saracens), Abby Dow (Wasps), Zoe Harrison (Saracens), Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury), Leanne Infante (Saracens), Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins), Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), Sarah McKenna (Saracens), Lucy Packer (Harlequins), Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), Emily Scarratt (vice-captain, Loughborough Lightning), Lydia Thompson (University of Worcester Warriors)
Surprise, surprise
The two biggest surprises involve players at opposite ends of their active careers: Laura Keates is recalled to play tight-head, having collected over 60 caps, a number severely reduced by a succession of injuries. At the other end of the scale Morwenna Talling (4 caps), just out of her teens, is included as a lock forward.
Neither has appeared in an England shirt this year. At least Keates’ scrummaging acumen was well known to the selectors.
Middleon’s thoughtfulness
The squad was informed of the choices as far back as Thursday 15, so they were not held in a vacuum of doubt for long. But the news remained closed to the public until 20 September.
Middleton is well aware of the emotional tide that sweeps over every player on receiving the news. A comparison with exam results comes to mind. But there is the added pain of success standing shoulder to shoulder with failure. Best mates may find themselves looking at opposite faces of the same coin.
If you are in masochistic mood, you might try counting up the number of months players have spent laid up with a variety of injuries. They at least provide them with an extra spur towards achievement. They have had to watch their team-mates carry on the good work, then have come back to prove they have lost nothing of their former quality. Courage comes in different shapes.
My most recent guess looked like this:
13 Backs
Infante, Macdonald, Hunt, Harrison, Rowland, Aitchison, Thompson, Breach, Kildunne, McKenna, Heard, Scarratt, Dow
19 Forwards
Cornborough, Botterman, Bern, Muir, B. Cleall, Cokayne, Davies, Powell, Aldcroft, Ward, M. Packer, Matthews, P. Cleall, Beckett, Hunter, Kabeya, Galligan, Brown, Beckett
It works out at 12/13 correct aft; 17/19 forrard. Bryony Cleall and Sarah Beckett are the two unfortunates to miss out here.
It’s barely a fortnight old, but already badly askew in one respect, as news broke of Mo Hunt’s surprise omission. Lucy Packer remained the only alternative scrum-half available. She becomes the smallest and lightest of the entire squad. Opposing flankers may view that news with interest.
2025
It is always possible that Middleton has kept one eye on the 2025 RWC, whether he is still in charge or not. In one sense it is even more important than the approaching tournament: it’s at home. So the younger element included, especially the two 20-year-olds, Talling and Sadia Kabeya, help to show the way forward.
There is no knowing how many players may decide to hang up their boots in November, especially if they return home with the coveted trophy, but it is certain competition for places will remain as tough as ever.
As the list stands, it is hard to imagine any of the other eleven competing nations challenging its supremacy. Even if the starting Fifteen had to accept a few mishaps, the eight coming off the bench would take a lot of stopping.
Afterthought
We have to feel sorry for Sara Cox, England’s premier referee. She’s at her fourth RWC and even more unlikely than before to miss out on the pinnacle of a ref’s career, to take the final.
