PWR’s Team of the Week was strikingly different this time. The stats gurus at Oval Insights had only four teams to choose from, the semi-finalists. Even so Glos-Pury fans lined up to mock their choices. And, the innocent neutral that I am, I have to agree with them.
This was the team selected:
1 Hannah Botterman (Bears) 2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bears) 3 Sara Bern (Bears) 4 Hollie Cunningham (Bears) 5 Abbie Ward (Bears) 6 Georgia Evans (Saracens) 7 Marlie Packer (Saracens) 8 Poppy Cleall (Saracens) 9 Mo Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury) 10 Lleucu George (G-H) 11 Ilona Maher (Bears) 12 Lagi Tuima (Quins) 13 Hannah Jones (G-H) 14 Alysha Corrigan (Saracens) 15 Jess Breach (Saracens)
As it turns out, no fewer than seven members of the losing sides, Bears and Quins, found a place. Does that tell us anything about the nature of the game? Hardly. Decisions are made on cold stats, and we know what stats are.
But it is a surprise to see Bears claiming all the front-five places. Maybe that reflects on the inadequacies of the team behind them. As usual, Sarries dominate the back row; they have done so for years.
Even more questionable are the choices out behind. How did Jess Breach outscore Emma Sing? Was it that one brilliant counter-stroke? And do Oval Insights give automatic bonuses to players according to their Insta and TikTok followings?
Maybe it’s time for OI to lay out in public (the PWR public) their methods of assessing individual points-scoring. Otherwise the RFU could fall into disrepute for appointing them as their top stats gatherers.
Now it’s your chance to select the XV you reckon made the biggest impression. You are not compelled to restrict your options to your own favourite club.
