News that Sale Sharks have signed Morwenna Talling (pictured above) has its significance.
It adds a second Red Rose to their ranks after Detysha Harper made the same move from Loughborough Lightning. Both these players have northern roots, Harper in Manchester, Talling in North Yorkshire. It is highly welcome news that at last the north-south drift is reversing.
At the same time Sharks have signed Nikita Prothero, an England Under 20 loose forward. This age-group side will provide a profitable source of material for clubs casting around (desperately?) for added playing strength.
For Lightning the news is more concerning. Like Gloucester-Hartpury, they are a central nursery for future stars. Unlike G-H they haven’t been able to attract top talent for a while. Remember the astonishment when they announced the signing of Katy Daley-Mclean, Emily Scarratt, Justine Lucas and Jo Brown in the early days of the Premier 15s!
With Scarratt and Helena Rowland missing from huge chunks of the 2022-23 season, their challenge has faltered. In stark contrast G-H have gained big-name players and are approaching a first-ever final.
Any move that improves Sharks’ chances is good news for the league. One glance at the map and you see their ground as a lonely outpost of what is supposed to be all-England territory (to use a tennis phrase).
We can expect further avalanches of signings across the coming weeks. Few clubs will feel they have all it takes to complete a winning seventh season of the AP 15s with their current stock.
