I don’t enjoy being proved right
At least it’s only once, not twice. In my review of the Red Roses World Cup squad I queried the lack of props, five not six. That has not yet proved a major blow.
But now that Claudia Moloney-Macdonald has a minor leg niggle, it exposes the lack of options at No 9. While most fans concentrated on the welcome return of Mo Hunt, I was concerned to see only two full-time scrum-halves, Hunt and Lucy Packer.
It was asking a lot of CMM to be ready to play 9 or 11; she has recovered wonderfully from serious injuries (like many of the 32!), but a different balance in the backs would have helped.
Now John Mitchell is referring to Helena Rowland as Miss Versatility, a point I touched on. She had already worn the 10, 12, 13 and 15 shirts. Now she finds herself on the left wing for the first time, but Mitchell is asking somebody to prepare 9 or 21 shirt for her as well!
It’s quite complicated, isn’t it!
Against Spain she debuts at 11, but might have a go at 9 – both for the first time! You never can tell with injuries.
Meanwhile all England supporters must hope that nothing untoward happens to the precious five props.
Vulnerability
It’s most unusual for two changes to be made to a team so soon after the initial announcement. That shows how unpredictable injuries can be.
Both Abbie Ward and Tat Heard come in to replace Rosie Galligan and Holly Aitchison. Ward is a straight swop for Galligan, but the other change?
Heard has called herself a one-trick pony (12 or a dozen) – nowhere else.
So where’s the back-up at 10 this time? – our new left-winger (Rowland) or our new, yet to be tested, 9 (Rowland)?
