If you really want to know what’s going on, I refer you to the masterly summary by @mikado000 of what has been happening since the dawn of the new age: (https:// twitter.com/mikado000/status/1764397444605833645).
My version is somewhat plainer.
Fixtures:
Once more it’s a 3-day spread.
Friday 8 March
Gloucester-Hartpury v Harlequins, KO 19.45 (TNT, at Kingsholm Stadium)
Saturday 9 March
Sale Sharks v Trailfinders Women, KO 14.00 (at Salford Community Stadium – first ever visit)
Exeter Chiefs v Loughborough Lightning, KO 14.30 (at Sandy Park)
Sunday 10 March
Bristol Bears v Saracens, KO 15.00 (at Shaftesbury Park)
It’s Leicester Tigers’ turn to sit out.
The big question is how far the approaching Six Nations will affect selections. The Red Roses have been busy training at St. George’s Park. Will club coaches be prepared to spare any of them from the prospect of an unwanted injury before the competition starts? It has happened before, but now we are in true professional mode; clubs may be less prepared to show sympathy towards players lacking lengthy test experience. I’ve spotted thirteen in the squad with a grand total of fourteen caps between them.
And it’s precisely here that the leading clubs would be most affected. Of the currently fit Red Roses Saracens have 7, Bears 6, Lightning 5, Glos-Pury 4 and Chiefs 3 (all three uncapped).
A first answer comes from the only Friday evening game. Among those starting for G-H are Sarah Beckett, Mo Hunt, Maud Muir and Emma Sing, but not Zoe Aldcroft, Mackenzie Carson, Tatyana Heard and Alex Matthews (all still unfit, we may assume). Quins have a leaner ration of Red Roses these days, but Ellie Kildunne and Lucy Packer both start.
So presumably the policy is: play as much as possible; keep the engine running.
Not a straightforward game in sight
We may see Quins succumb to an eighth loss this season, but even there we can’t be sure. It’s interesting to see Kaitlan Leaney’s name still on the Quins’ play-list, although Super W starts on 15 March in Australia. And Lizzie Duffy’s name among the replacements is a welcome sight. She’s from St Helens. Wouldn’t it have been lovely seeing her playing for her local club in the PWR!
At least Glos-Pury have the benefit of a home game. Sean Lynn may well be having a word with them about the number of tight struggles they’ve got themselves into. Are they getting nervous yet?
Ditto the Chiefs. Even if the team itself can’t win the game against Lightning, the crowd should be able to. For the visitors it’s vital thet they maintain their recent advance. But a win at home against the bottom club is not the same as playing away at Sandy Park, the RFU’s favourite rendezvous.
On Sunday we’ll see what the Bears are really made of. Are they true Championship material, or just pretending? They meet Sarries whose dictionary excludes the words ‘loss’ and ‘defeat’.
Another humdinger on the way. Harrison versus Aitchison would be worth the gate price alone. A world heavyweight championship fight, if they’ll excuse the analogy.
At the other end of the table Sharks are delighted to be using the same ground as their menfolk for the first time. Would it have made a difference if they’d moved in earlier? Every little helps. Trailfinders will have a minute advantage as the home side will be less familiar with their new setting. TF won the reverse game by a threadbare two points, but can always boast about losing to the unbeaten leaders by only six.
