England vs Spain
Kickoff: 3pm Saturday, 2nd of August
Venue: Welford Road, Leicester
Watch on: BBC Iplayer or England Rugby Youtube page
Team news
England
1.Kelsey Clifford 2.Lark Atkin-Davies 3.Sarah Bern 4.Rosie Galligan 5.Lilli Ives Campion
6.Abi Burton 7.Marlie Packer(C) 8.Maddie Feaunati 9.Lucy Packer 10.Zoe Harrison
11.Jess Breach 12.Jade Shekells 13.Megan Jones(C) 14.Helena Rowland 15.Emma Sing
16.May Campbell 17.Hannah Botterman 18.Maud Muir 19.Zoe Aldcroft
20.Sadia Kabeya 21.Natasha Hunt 22.Holly Aitchison 23.Abby Dow
This is England's first warm up game prior to kicking off their World Cup against the USA on the 22nd of August and there are still some questions to be answered - particularly on the wing, front row and back row. John Mitchell is faced with the enviable, but still difficult, task of having to pick between a plethora of top talent at each position.
The back three probably has one spot available, assuming that everyone is healthy. In that scenario, Ellie Kildunne would start at fullback with Abbie Dow on the right wing. The player who completes that trio most often is Jess Breach but she suffered a hip injury that saw her miss the start of the Six Nations and which meant that she took some time to get going for Saracens. She has had plenty of time to be settled in and at the same level as everyone else but she'll know that she needs to show up big time in this game. Emma Sing, who starts at fullback, is a big challenger to Breach's starting job with Helena Rowland showing that she can play literally anywhere within the back line - an attribute that massively enhances her chances of making the squad on match-days throughout the World Cup.
The other area to highlight is the front row. England have the most physical front row in the World and there is very little to separate the players within it so it may just be a case of rotating for different games but the likes of Sarah Bern and Maud Muir will both want t start.
This England team is missing the likes of Ellie Kildunne, Tatyana Heard, Alex Mathews and Amy Cokayne but it is still a strong side which should win comfortably. Hopefully this game will get players up to speed and ensure that England have the necessary depth should it be required.
As of writing this, Spain are yet to release their team and many English fans will be unfamiliar with most names on the team sheet. However, one name that anyone who follows the PWR will know is Claudia Pena. The 20-year-old outside centre from Barcelona was a key piece of the Harlequins team that made it to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons earlier this year. She has the ability to play in midfield and on the wing but will provide the same threat wherever she plays. England will have to be on their guard to mitigate her pace and eye for a break.
Add comment
Comments