Here’s the squad to face France at the weekend:
15 KILDUNNE 14 DOW 13 JONES 12 HEARD 11 BREACH 10 HARRISON 9 HUNT 1 BOTTERMAN 2 COKAYNE 3 MUIR 4 TALLING 5 WARD 6 ALDCROFT (captain) 7 KABEYA 8 MATTHEWS
16 ATKIN-DAVIES 17 CLIFFORD 18 BERN 19 GALLIGAN 20 FEAUNATI 21 L. PACKER 22 AITCHISON 23 ROWLAND
John Mitchell has made crucial decisions for the side to face France. The good news is the return of Ellie Kildunne and Hannah Botterman from injury. Zoe Harrison and Abby Ward are promoted from the bench.
Less obviously, Amy Cokayne and Mo Hunt retain their places against strong competition.
Can we be sure this is Mitchell’s final choice? This game is going to be less stressful than any final they may achieve. (I’m prepared to disregard that narrow victory at HQ.) These are two different teams and the French have been suffering torments recently.
Age
In the broader perspective, one concern is the advancing age of the starting England XV. Only three of them are 25 or under, all of them in the backs. The current average age is perfect for achieving great things, but in four years time? Even the bench musters only three under 26s.
I make it sound as if it’s now or never; perhaps it is.
As we await news of the French line-up, we can be sure there is a heap of emotion involved. Their official sites have been notably silent about recent events.
They already have Bordeaux lined up as the venue for next year’s 6 Nations crunch.
Trying to be as impartial as I can, I see the match going only one way.
Tickets
As of 10.30 on Thursday morning, tickets are still available at Ashton Gate. It’s a surprise that “house full” notices haven’t yet been hung out. One reason may be the prices; at last they are climbing towards Twickenham levels.
