Inside barely a fortnight last month the Black Ferns lost two of their all-time greats, Kelly Brazier and Portia Woodman-Wickliffe. Who could possibly replace them?
Kiwis would chorus ‘Braxton Sorensen- McGee and Jorja Miller!’ But they are already inside the fold. What about new faces?
I’ll leave the answers to Whitney Hansen and her assistants. Now to the other side of the world.
England
We already know the 34 players called up for a first training session for England’s U21s. It is already over and done with.
One glance at the list reveals many names familiar to PWR followers. They have the makings of a formidable squad.
Under new structures, we now deal with U21s, not U20s. That helps to narrow the gap to the elite level, and raises the level of experience already obtained.
It also allows a competition more closely aligned to the W6N; a 3-match series which may, according to the FFR website, also include a double-header with a senior match. (see below)
It replaces the old Summer Series that was held at a single venue.
The England make-up
An ongoing concern of mine rests on geography.
Of course a young player may have moved far from her native heath to join her latest club, but the evidence points once more to a severe lack of players from northern districts.
Mansfield is the town furthest north I have spotted, and even north Nottinghamshire is a distance south of the Scottish border.
In their place we can see players from Suffolk to Somerset and Devon, a vast swathe of southern England, but far from a complete spread.
Club affiliations
Of the players already attached to PWR clubs, they line up like this:
Quins 7
Trailfinders 6
Loughborough 5 (+ 1 at L’boro Uni)
Bristol Bears 5
Glkucester-Hartpury 5
Exeter Chiefs 2 plus one at Exeter Uni
Saracens 1
That leaves one at a PDG
Coaches
One of the most positive steps is to see the three additions to the regular staff (LJ Lewis, the lead, and Sarah McKenna, her assistant). They are: Jo Yapp, now wisely inserted in her new post in overall charge of England pathways; Louis Deacon, long associated with the Red Roses, and James Cooper (i/c U18s), who will know many of the players from the past.
Their all-round excellence and experience adds enormous value to the adventure.
Future Outlook
Whether that will be enough to see off the formidable French will be the deciding issue.
Last year les Bleuettes defeated England (les Rosettes?) by a cool 52-39 to remain unbeaten as usual.
We should expect an enthusiastic crowd at Bedford Blues’ atmospheric ground. Mo Hunt will have happy memories: she gained her 50th cap there.
Fixtures
An England squad is due to play Canada U21s in a training match behind closed doors at Bisham Abbey on 21 March.
Other similar sessions might be added. Then:
Round 1: v Scotland, 18 April, the Hive Edinburgh
Round 2: v Ireland, 2 May, Butts Park Coventry
Round 3: v France, 10 May, Goldington Road Bedford
If an extra match were fitted in, that would add up to five, the same number as a full-on Six Nations tournament!
