That’s a washing-line of letters, or rather, two acronyms that now clash annoyingly.
Susie Appleby of Exeter Chiefs voices her complaint about the way the PWR schedule has been implemented, but she might have spoken out when it was first announced months ago. Like the other eight DoRs, she has known this impasse would occur.
The PWR committee was caught between a rock and a hard place. The second showing of WXV is under way; once the Six Nations is done and dusted next April, everything has to give way to prep for the World Cup. So an initial decision was made to hold what was dubbed the PWR Up series, a set of fixtures designed to give lesser known members of club squads a proper airing while Red Roses squads would be absent. It has now been completed. The full-scale programme begins on Saturday and will be over by March, in other words, abnormally early.
Appleby has a strong case. It is curious that the PWR league proper should start when so many test players are still away. Some clubs have absentees in double figures representing various nations. Appleby reckons the schedule could have been shifted forward or backward to avoid these problems. We may yet hear a response from the PWR committee.
A closely related matter is the tightening of regulations concerning EQPs, that is, English Qualified Players. One of PWR founding principles was to further English rugby and the Red Roses. Over recent years the number of NEQPs has grown. That’s flattering to the English game, but works against that underlying aim. So we will be seeing (at least) thirteen EQPs in each squad; that is, a smidgen over half.
It remains to be seen what the long-term effect will be on NEQPs. Some time ago Emily Tuttosi, Canada’s experienced hooker and a Chief, expressed her disquiet at the problems lying in wait for players in her position. Squads these days are large; rotation is always possible. But with only four matches taking place every weekend, selectors are loath to stand leading players down. Every point counts.
There are the four outstanding contestants for the trophy again: Bears, Chiefs, Gloucester-Hartpury and Sarries. They all know that one match lost or one bonus-point missed can mean that odds lengthen. And this coming season Loughborough Lightning must be added to the equation.
Other clubs, especially Quins, have added considerably to their playing stock, but they will be liable to the same constraints that Chiefs are concerned about.
Meantime, here’s how this Saturday’s fixtures look:
Saracens v Trailfinders, 14.00
Harlequins v Exeter Chiefs, 15.00
Loughborough Lightning v Bristol Bears, 15.00
They just happen to clash with:
USA v France, Canada v ireland, Japan v Scotland, South Afrcia v Australia, Fiji v Samoa and Netherlands v Spain.
The following day the Gloucester-Hartpury-Leicester Tigers match coincides with a certain Black Ferns-Red Roses encounter.
Take your pick!
