The training season the the World Cup is getting into full swing. All over the world sixteen squads are starting the ritual of getting into the best form possible.
The first step for head coaches is to announce a squad considerably larger than the 32 allowed at the main event. Then comes the uncomfortable business of telling some unfortuantes their presence is no longer required.
John Mitchell has announced a first training squad:
Forwards: Zoe Aldcroft, Lark Atkin-Davies, Sarah Bern, Hannah Botterman, Georgia Brock, Abi Burton, May Campbell, Mackenzie Carson, Kelsey Clifford, Amy Cokayne, Maddie Feaunati, Rosie Galligan, Lizzie Hanlon, Lilli Ives Campion, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews, Maud Muir, Cath O’Donnell, Marlie Packer, Simi Pam, Connie Powell, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward (23)
Backs: Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach, Millie David, Abby Dow, Zoe Harrison, Tatyana Heard, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, Ellie Kildunne, Claudia MacDonald, Lucy Packer, Sarah Parry, Flo Robinson, Helena Rowland, Emily Scarratt, Jade Shekells, Emma Sing, Mia Venner, Ella Wyrwas (19)
Mitchell stated in mid-May that he was pretty sure of his final choices. Can performances over the next few weeks alter his mind?
He also stated his preference for an 18:14 split between pack and backs. That is the orthodox view. It will be interesting to see which nations, if any, deviate. The most likely variation is 19:13, though that puts a premium on versatility among the backs.
The total of 42 means five forwards and five backs dropping out, come guillotine day.
As we glance down the list, we can spot some less familiar names; how many of them might make the cut? Alongside the many everyone expected to see, there are others delighted at their inclusion.
First I pick Cath O’Donnell. She has been plagued by injury across the years; it’s a welcome surprise to see her name included; it must mean the management are sure of her fitness for the tough sessions ahead. Has Mitchell actually seen her in play? If she survives the next cull, it could mean an end to Lilli Ives Campion’s chances.
May Campbell and Connie Powell are fighting for the third-choice hooker position. Campbell is ahead on points at present. I see eight names lined up for the back-row (assuming Mitchell keeps his captain at No 6; like many others I wouldn’t). There may well be shocks in store: no Marlie Packer? Georgia Brock gets another chance to show her paces, alongside Abi Burton, Maddie Feaunati, Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews and Morwenna Talling. Some competition!
The one surprise in the backs is Sarah Parry. She has made a big impact on her way from Newtowen RFC to Quins. One drawback: Just down the road from Newtown is a spot called Stepaside. She’ll be hoping to demonstrate her side-step, not needing to step aside.
Of the four No 9s Flo Robinson has made a late run, making up for that big disappointment at the ‘lights-out’ match in Lille. But Ella Wyrwas is recalled to state her case. There are many fervent fans of Mo Hunt, but I feel this key position is not the strongest in England’s armoury.
The Short Straw
The one established figure to fall out at this is Sarah Beckett. The same happened to her in 2022, at the hands of a different set of selectors.
Afterthoughts
It’s amusing to recall Mitchell’s dismay at the limit of 32 players. Why not 33, as for the men? This was an early lesson for him that all is not fair in love and rugby. And the Red Roses are treated far more equally by the RFU than many of their counterparts in other unions.
Then again, it’s not so long since selectors were limited to 26 players. The number has crept up in stages.
It’s only yesterday that I typed out my thoughts on a likely 32. Of course I had no idea of the impending arrival of youngsters like Millie David and Parry, nor the return of hopefuls such as O’Donnell, Brock, Wyrwas and Simi Pam.
This was my guess:
1 ALDCROFT
2 AITCHISON
3 ATKIN-DAVIES
4 BERN
5 BOTTERMAN
6 BREACH
7 BURTON
8 CAMPBELL
9 CARSON
10 CLIFFORD
11 COKAYNE
12 DOW
13 FEAUNATI
14 GALLIGAN
15 HARRISON
16 HEARD
17 HUNT
18 IVES-CAMPION
19 JONES
20 KABEYA
21 KILDUNNE
22 MACDERMOTT
23 MATTHEWS
24 MUIR
25 PACKER L.
26 PACKER M.
27 ROWLAND
28 SCARRATT
29 SING
30 VENNER
31 TALLLING
32 WARD
We won’t know how wide of the mark I was for quite some time. Now for a few PBs.
