Round Two of WXV1 sees the old foes meet up again. They met barely three weeks ago in outer London, the hosts winning 24-12.
John Mitchell has announced his team:
15 KILDUNNE 14 DOW 13 ROWLAND 12 HEARD 11 BREACH 10 AITCHISON 9 HUNT 1 BOTTERMAN 2 COKAYNE 3 MUIR 4 ALDCROFT 5 WARD 6 TALLING 7 M. PACKER (captain) 8 MATTHEWS
16 ATKIN-DAVIES 17 CARSON 18 BERN 19 GALLIGAN 20 FEAUNATI 21 L. PACKER 22 HARRISON 23 SCARRATT
Mitchell took the commendable decision to experiment in the first round. Both the uncapped players, Phoebe Murray and Bo Westbourne-Evans, started and proved their worth.
Now he reverts to what he and his staff consider the strongest XV available. How close were you to guessing correctly? I got the front-row wrong: that’s one area where England are spoilt for choice.
The 10 position was also debatable. Zoe Harrison had a thoroughly good game against the States, her kicking in particular right on point. Last time out Holly Aitchison wasn’t at her best, and critics were quick to pick out her faults. But she has qualities that are rarely found in a 10, and her kicking over the past year – especially in New Zealand – has reached great heights. We can only hope that she returns to her best form. All Saracens’ fans will disagree.
Some Background
The Ferns’ fortunes have faltered again since their recovery from the European tour of 2021. They walked off with another World Cup win two years ago, but since then have failed to advance. The dramatic loss to Ireland reduces them to third place in world rankings for the second time in four months.
Like every WXV head coach, Allan Bunting has had a week to plan the next outing and especially his selection. But that loss last week will have sharpened his thinking. He had no doubt imagined that first game would be the banker. Then he could turn his attention to seeing off the strongest opponents, England then France. That is not how things worked out.
The Ferns are perfectly capable of putting the Red Roses in their place, but not many neutrals see it that way. An analysis of individual performances will reveal strengths and weaknesses to affect their selections.
One case in point is Marcelle Parkes. She is one of a growing number of players who have been transformed into props. The English can think back to Bryony Cleall and Shaunagh Brown as examples; neither was able to prove the rightness of the change. Sarah Bern proves the opposite.
Against Ireland Parkes faced Niamh O’Dowd, whom Scott Bemand introduced at loose-head, requiring Linda Djougang to switch across to tight-head. It was O’Dowd who provided a decisive action or two near the end.
Against England Parkes, if selected, would likely face Hannah Botterman, who didn’t start against USA.
There has been concern in New Zealand for a while about competition for the front-row positions; the Ferns can no longer assume superiority there. Bunting switched all three as early as the 44th minute against Ireland.
We await his choice with the greatest interest.
Details:
Date: 6 October
KO: 21.00 BST
Venue: Langley Events Centre, Vancouver
Coverage: BBC iPlayer in UK; elsewhere rugbypass.tv
