England v France
The two managements have now made their decisions.
They take on even greater significance, as they hint at the likeliest starting sides at the World Cup.
Teams:
England
1 Hannah Botterman 2 Lark Atkin-Davies 3 Maud Muir 4 Morwenna Talling 5 Abbie Ward 6 Zoe Aldcroft (captain) 7 Maddie Feaunati 8 Alex Matthews 9 Mo Hunt 10 Zoe Harrison 11 Claudia Macdonald 12 Tatyana Heard 13 Meg Jones 14 Abby Dow 15 Emma Sing
16 Amy Cokayne 17 Kelsey Clifford 18 Sarah Bern 19 Rosie Galligan 20 Abi Burton 21 Lucy Packer 22 Holly Aitchison 23 Helena Rowland
France
1 Yllana Brosseau 2 Manon Bigot 3 Assia Khalfaoui 4 Manaé Feleu (co-captain) 5 Madoussou Fall Raclot 6 Charlotte Escudero 7 Léa Champon 8 Téani Feleu 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus 10 Carla Arbez 11 Kelly Arbey 12 Gabrielle Vernier 13 Marine Ménager (co-captain) 14 Joanna Grisez 15 Morgane Bourgeois
16 Elisa Riffonneau 17 Ambre Mwayembe 18 Rose Bernadou 19 Kiara Zago 20 Axelle Berthounieu 21Taïna Maka 22 Alex Chambon 23 Lina Queyroi
Reactions:
France’s lack of depth remains a curious feature of the encounter. They were unfortunate to lose three quality players to injury, Romane Ménager, Monserrat Amédée and Séraphine Okemba. They could be replaced with capable alternatives, but it meant introducing an uncapped player, the 20-year-old Taïna Maka, on the bench. However talented, she will be faced with the mountainous challenge of appearing at Twickenham in a match close to the tensions of a World Cup.
The co-coaches felt it necessary once again to opt for a 6:2 bench split in favour of forwards. It risks a calamitous outcome, since only two half-backs are left available. Let’s leave the Springbok men to the joys of having eight 20-stone forwards on the bench.
From John Mitchell’s selection we may judge that he sees this game as both a vital one to win and a mere stepping-stone on the way to the World Cup. Hence a small number of important decisions. First he answers the deafening shouts from millions of Gloucester-Hartpury supporters by including Emma Sing at the rear. But her rival, Ellie Kildunne, is injured, so she has yet to prove the superiority her fans claim.
Then he places Zoe Harrison at No 10, either because she richly deserves it or because he’s playing the rotation game.
Up front there are few surprises. The back-row problem is solved by the absence of Sadia Kabeya, for most people a natural choice. This gives Abi Burton another bench place at 6. He keeps Morwenna Talling in the second row, allowing the skipper more fresh air on the blind-side.
Maddie Feaunati switches to the open side, meaning she’ll have to adapt quickly to different lines of attack and defence. She has played at 6 and 8 before, but this is a challenge, especially opposing the ultimate magician, Pauline Bourdon Sansus.
It’s a relief to see all nine PWR clubs represented, though Quins, Lightning and Tigers scrape in only on the bench (Lucy Packer, Helena Rowland and Amy Cokayne).
The squad have known these choices for a good while, so they’ve had time to prepare mentally. Those not playing, apart from Kildunne and Kabeya, include Emily Scarratt, Jess Breach, Marlie Packer and Sarah Beckett. That’s two more World Players of the Year.
Placing the two 23s side by side, I can’t see les Bleues overturning recent history. But for my own peace of mind I’d prefer the result not depending on a referee’s decision in the 82nd or 83rd minute. Emily Scarratt will remember.
Attendance
I see this as a central factor in the day’s success. Up to 16.00 Thursday afternoon there has been no mention of the likely gate or ticket sales, either from the RFU or the stadium management. They rightly assumed attendances would go on growing after the fabulous 58,498 for this fixture two years ago. The reverse has been the case.
With the RWC looming ever closer the RFU may be wondering whether its stated intention of filling Twickenham was a trifle ambitious. We must hope not, but thus far, we haven’t been given reasons for optimism.
It is a curious case, since the players and the occasion more than deserve those expectations.
Details:
Date: Saturday 26 April
Venue: Allianz Stadium, London
Kick-off: 16.45 BST
