Here’s John Mitchell’s squad to face Canada:
15 KILDUNNE 14 BREACH 13 JONES 12 HEARD 11 DOW 10 HARRISON 9 HUNT 1 BOTTERMAN 2 COKAYNE 3 MUIR 4 TALLING 5 WARD 6 ALDCROFT (captain) 7 KABEYA 8 MATTHEWS
16 ATKIN-DAVIES 17 CLIFFORD 18 BERN 19 GALLIGAN 20 FEAUNATI 21 L. PACKER 22 AITCHISON 22 ROWLAND
The election result: No Change!
I had suggested certain adjustments (2, 9, 10, wing); so had many pundits. Mitchell and his staff have decided otherwise.
One area that will need to click early is the back-play. That is one reason I proposed Holly Aitchison at 10. She is more flexible and unpredictable than the ever-reliable Zoe Harrison.
As usual, Mitchell has given no hint of his thinking about selection. The squad will have known their fate long ago.
England knew they would be facing a massive challenge on the big day; they may well have expected a different opponent.
Canada have all the tools needed to take the day. They have an exceptional coach in Kevin Rouet; several of them have come to grips with their opponents many times in the PWR.
One Canadian commentator has said simply: “No cards, and you’ll win”.
Certainly, recent World Cup finals have been disfigured by red cards, hence the introduction of the 20-minute card.
Let’s hope the game remains 15 v 15 all through. Seconds out!
Match details
Date: Saturday 27 September
KO: 16.00 BST
Venue: Twickenham Stadium
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Afterthought:
The result is by no means a given. It’s going to be heartbreak for one side, and not for the first time.
