In my previous piece on the subject, I mentioned three attributes: quality, experience and versatility.
Here I expand on my thoughts.
Quality
The Red Roses are now on a run of 25 games undefeated and hope to beat their own record of 30 this summer. Their one black mark has been at the World Cup. Two successes in nine attempts is a poor return.
Experience
How are we to explain the vast number of caps they possess, 1,374? It works out at around 43 apiece, and Black Ferns who achieve 20 are treated as ‘legends’ and ‘superstars’ – the two terms most in favour in the 2020s.
The Six Nations cannot be the sole answer. Five other teams share the pleasure of five annual fixtures. No, the Red Roses benefit from the huge number of outward and especially inward tours. Rivals are always keen to meet them.
So that explains partly how the squad can contain two centurions (Scaz and Marlie), two in their 80s (Mo and Amy C), three in their 70s (Berner, Alex M and Abbie W), plus six who have reached a half-century.
Another explanation is the efficiency of the pathways. They ensure that talent is spotted early on and nurtured. The babe of the squad is a fine example: Lilli Ives–Campion, just 21, was the England U20s captain and has risen rapidly.
Next, the number of clubs now offering openings to youngsters so they can acquire an early taste for the game and emulate their idols.
The input of Hartpury College, unique in its nature, cannot be overlooked.
Versatility
This is another trump card in Mitchell’s hand. There is hardly a player in the squad who has worn only one number on her shirt. So many have shown their skills in less familiar positions; the game-plans enable them to fit in all over the field. Who needs a right-winger when Sarah Bern is there?
This in turn determines the shape of the squad. The permitted total is six more than it was a decade or so ago, but head coaches around the world are losing sleep over where to cut corners. (I’m still concerned over the shortage of props).
Club allocations
The nine PWR clubs line up like this:
Glos-Pury 8, Sarries 6, Bears and Lightning 4, Sale 3, Quins, Chiefs and TF 2 and Tigers zero. We’ll see how closely this parallels the next PWR finishing table. It’s amazing what £p can do to help.
Future Selections
We remain in the dark about team selections for the two warm-up matches against Spain and France. Commonsense says Mitchell will give a run-out to the less experienced team-members against Las Leonas.
A starting XV might be:
15 Sing 14 Dow 13 Scarratt 12 Shekells 11 Breach 10 Rowland 9 Macdonald-Moloney 1 Carson 2 Campbell 3 Clifford 4 Galligan 5 Ives-Campion 6 *Aldcroft/Talling 7 Kabeya 8 Burton
*Mitchell will play his captain if he feels her absence would be an unnecessary discourtesy to Las Leonas.
Then the XV to play France. Take a deep breath:
15 Kildunne 14 Dow 13 Jones 12 Heard 11 CMM 10 Aitchison 9 L Packer 1 Botterman 2 Atkin-Davies 3 Muir 4 Galligan 5 Ward 6 Aldcroft 7 Kabeya 8 Matthews
– that is my guess at Mitchell’s preferred team, not my own choice.
He gets paid; I don’t!
