Chiefs side to face Loughborough
By Harry Scott-Munro
26/11/21
It may be nearly seven weeks since Susie Appleby’s Exeter Chiefs Women's side were last in Allianz Premier 15s action. However, the Head Coach has used the time well to test out the strength in depth within her side, ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Loughborough Lightning at Sandy Park. (3pm)
Last time out in the league, Appleby was let disappointed by a defeat to Saracens where she felt her side “never really fired a shot.”
With a number of players away on international duty over recent weeks, Appleby was left delighted though by the performance of her side in both Allianz Cup victories, with a number of players putting their hands up for league selection. One of those is young centre Nancy McGillivray, who will make her first league start this weekend in the absence of Gabby Cantorna.
“There’s been loads of positives. Nancy McGillivray, she’s at the university, but she’s just stepped up and grasped hold of her opportunity and done really well,” explained Appleby. “That’s been good, as we’ve had a few injuries in the centre. The great thing about Nancy is that she really listens. She doesn’t say a lot, but she just goes and does it, which is the most wonderful thing to have from a player. She’s a good defender and likes to play ball in hand.”
Appleby has also been busy away from the field with Irish international second-row Nichola Fryday arriving at the club after representing her country in the recent autumn internationals. She is an arrival that has pleased Appleby, who has added some much-needed additional power to her squad in the absence of McKinley Hunt.
“It’s all change. This league is full of big physical players. Unless you have them, you struggle to compete.”
One of the key takeaways from Cup action for Appleby was that strength in depth within the squad, something that has been aided by the strong links fostered with both Exeter University and Exeter College.
“For us, we’re fortunate that Poppy (Leitch) coaches the university as well, so there’s loads of crossover going on between ourselves, the university and also the college. Much like the men’s pathway, it’s an easy transition,” mused Appleby.
That pathway has been crucial to the Chiefs this season and it will further pay dividends for another young talent in back-row forward Maisy Allen, who will make her first league start for the club at openside flanker.
Appleby believes the recent Cup fixtures were a perfect opportunity to see if some of her younger players are ready to make the step up to league action - and the coach firmly believes that they have what it takes.
“Maisy Allen is another student who has done fantastically well," added Appleby. "It’s really beneficial for us to have a proper look at these guys and a few of them are stepping onto the field again this Saturday. That’s exactly the pathway that we want. It’s a little bit of a step up but they’re capable of doing it, so let’s see how they go.”
Loughborough Lightning though will be no easy opposition for the Chiefs. Despite sitting in eighth place in the league, the Midlanders have been bolstered by the return of many of their international stars, including England captain Sarah Hunter.
Appleby is expecting those players to lift their side and is fully aware of the threat that they will pose tomorrow.
“Loughborough are really good. They’ve had a sticky start to the season as they’ve had a few injuries but they’re back to full strength. They have their Scottish players back in, Sarah Hunter and Helena Rowland at 8 and 10, and of course Lark Davies at hooker as well,” mused Appleby. “They have a really good spine of England players there, so they will be a different level from when they were last on the field.”
For Exeter Chiefs though, they too have been bolstered by the return of many of their international stars.
Having made her club debut away at Sale Sharks in the cup, full-back Chloe Rollie starts her first league game for the side with USA Eagles and Irish wings Jennine Detiveaux and Laura Sheehan also returning to the side after international duty.
Up front, Sachiko Kato comes into the front row having impressed for Japan in their recent autumn fixtures with Kate Zackary captaining the side from No.8.
On the bench, Canadian front row trio Olivia De Merchant, Emily Tuttosi and DaLeaka Menin are all poised to add their physicality off the bench, as well as potential debutant Fryday. There could also be first league appearances of the season for Eilidh Sinclair and Garnet Mackinder.
Appleby feels that there is a nice blend to her side ahead of this one and is hoping that her side can continue to put down a marker in the race for the top four.
“We’re prepared, and we have to be. In this league, every week you consistently face a team that want to be in the top four. It will be a battle on Saturday but we’re ready for it and we need to be ready to perform.”
