Most Red Rose fans have firm ideas about their preferences for the big games to come.
Let’s look at the dilemmas facing the selectors.
The France game next weekend will be infinitely tougher than the show at Leicester. There a few lionesses were slaughtered as surely as the wretched bull in a Spanish bull-ring.
After due analysis a 23 will be chosen for the game at Mont-de-Marsan. Even then John Mitchell may prefer to check out new combinations and styles of play. Bear in mind the players who weren’t on show on Saturday: Aitchison, Carson, Cokayne, Galligan, Kabeya, Kildunne, Scarratt and Talling. That’s a team and a half in its own right. They deserve an airing.
At Leicester little was seen of the famed pack drive. Instead they enjoyed themselves in the open air, to produce overwhelming results.
Choices, choices
Prop
I have five fingers on each hand and wish to keep it that way. England possess five props.
Tight-head: Maud Muir might well have moved ahead of Sarah Bern temporarily, not least at the set-scrum. But Berner’s performance was a timely reminder of her formidable talent.
No 8
Alex Matthews was missing (no doubt preparing for her birthday party). Maddie Feaunati exploited her absence to offer an eye-catching show. But enough to claim the shirt? I still doubt it.
The Aldcroft conundrum
Mitchell plays her at 6. That may remain his preference, but moving her back to play alongside Abbie Ward allows me my first-choice back-row, Feaunati-Kabeya-Matthews.
9
I have two hands, and wish to keep it that way. England have two scrum-halves.
Lucy Packer was again allowed to start. That upset millions of fans living west of London, for whom Mo Hunt is the answer to all ills. In my view, she’s even more valuable coming on in the second half to add more pressure and speed to proceedings.
10
I’ve said before, I’m pretty sure Mitchell prefers Aitchison there, but Zoe Harrison had another masterful game. It may come down to the game-plan seen as best against a variety of opposing nations. It’s called ‘picking from strength’.
Finally, does Helena Rowland remain the maid of all work, or does she not deserve a regular spot? I won’t attempt a reply.
France
We now know the make-up of the French squad
They are likely to put in a peak performance, but I still can’t see them overturning a run of defeats across seven years, no matter the tight margins. Perfidious Albion! There are a number of newish faces, anxious to prove themselves, but that doesn’t guarantee cohesion.
If the Red Roses should lose, might that not benefit them? An unbeaten record can act as a burden.
It was proved in part at the end of the final in Auckland. The psychologists on the staff have been working on the issue. Fascinating to know the line they took.
There’s a long path still to travel. Each pool match will disclose new factors to be addressed that could alter perceptions of how the players are progressing.
Afterthoughts
1. A disciplinary committee has decided on a one-match ban for Marlie Packer after her card at Leicester. It means she sits the French game out. Public responses vary wildly.
2. The French squad: missing from the earlier training squad are Oceane Bordes, Lili Dezou, Lauren Touye, Melissande Llorens Vignieres and, less explicably, Emeline Gros. Ambre Mwayembe is the one unfortunate to miss out through injury.
That sad list keeps growing; Scotland have lost the services of Bristol veteran, Hollie Cunningham.
