Continuity, but…
The management had two choices: either a team warming up for the final; or the team needed to get past Canada.
For Simon Middleton it was a case of ‘Continuity, but…’ so Claudia MacDonald returns from injury to play left wing, which means Abby Dow has to switch sides again. Tatyana Heard goes on proving she is not a one-day-wonder.
England fans will be hoping for far more contributions from the backs than were possible in last weekend’s monsoon.
The one change up front sees Hannah Botterman preferred to Vickii Cornborough. That may be in response to the known strength of the Maple Leafs’ front row. Whether the same move would have been considered against the Black Ferns is another matter.
The Squad
15. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 21 caps)
14. Abby Dow (Wasps, 29 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 106 caps)
12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 7 caps)
11. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps)
10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 44 caps)
9. Leanne Infante (Saracens, 56 caps)
1. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 34 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 68 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 50 caps)
4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 36 caps)
5. Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 59 caps)
6. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 54 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens, 87 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (captain, Loughborough Lightning, 138 caps)
Bench:
16. Lark Davies (Bristol Bears, 42 caps)
17. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 73 caps) 18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 15 caps) 19. Rosie Galligan (Harlequins, 9 caps)
20. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 61 caps)
21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 8 caps)
22. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 13 caps)
23. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 29 caps)
A reminder: kick-off on Saturday morning at 03.30, so big decisions needed about sleeping patterns. They may depend on the timing of the second semi, three hours later!
