We fans have been dissecting the entrails of Red Rose selections for a long, long time, inevitably with an eye on the World Cup.
Only now, with the pool-stages behind us, can we expect Simon Middleton and his advisors, Scott Bemand and Louis Deacon, to reveal their final thoughts about their best 15.
Their approach is bound to have been affected by the passage of time. The ‘dream’ team of late October is unlikely to feature exactly the same players as at the end of the 2022 Six Nations. Quite apart from troubling injuries, form does come and go. But, as the old cliché has it, class is permanent.
The ongoing gulf in funding and support means that Australia’s chances of success are minimal. It is a huge credit to the current Wallaroos squad that they have reached such a high standard, but when pro plays amateur the odds swing violently. The pity is that that inequality masks the standards the pros have reached and the effort they have put in to reach them.
Selection pinch-points:
The front row: my original choice was Cornborough-Davies-Bern. Lark Davies hasn’t appeared yet, so we must expect her to find a place on the bench once the medics pass her fit. Hannah Botterman has improved enormously over the past year, but a series of avoidable penalties recently has reduced her chances of starting.
The back-row: my most outlandish prediction was that Sarah Hunter would not be the first- choice No 8. The selectors have taken an opposite view; Poppy Cleall has been relegated to the bench, almost unthinkable after she was in such dominant form at the last two Six Nations. So unused was she to being ‘saved’ for the last quarter that I don’t feel she has done full justice to her talents. I still think she should start. Alex Matthews and Marlie Packer don’t need special pleading.
Half-back: the one remaining doubt concerns Claudia Macdonald. With the delayed return of Abby Dow and Jess Breach, she shone on the left wing in the pool-stages. I still maintain she must be restored to No 9, even though that means a return to the bench.
Centre: who partners Emily Scarratt? Helena Rowland. Tatyana Heard put in a dominant performance against South Africa, but her all-round game cannot match Rowland’s. Amongst other things, the Loughborough star can slip in at No 10 and share the load with Zoe Harrison.
Back-three: my first-choice was and remains Breach-Dow-Kildunne. England are fortunate to have both wingers restored to health, even though that means Lydia Thompson may not be a starter. RWCs have not been kind to her. There is little to choose between Ellie Kildunne and Sarah McKenna in the back-field, but Middleton is a firm supporter of the Yorkshire lass.
When the squad is announced later this week, we will at last know who the decision-makers really think can bring home the bacon. The guesswork will be over, we can relax and enjoy the rugby. If only!
