Chiefs side to face Loughborough Lightning
By Harry Scott-Munro
26/3/21
A week on from defeat to Saracens, Exeter Chiefs Women's Head Coach Susie Appleby has challenged her side to “be more accurate” as they look to get back to winning ways against third-placed Loughborough Lightning at Sandy Park tomorrow (3pm)
In a game that will have a huge bearing on the final league standings come the end of the season, there is huge excitement within the home game as they look to challenge one of their play-off rivals.
The 34-21 reverse at the StoneX Stadium last time out was the first time Appleby’s side had tasted defeat since December which, coincidentally, was against Loughborough - and Appleby admitted that there was a feeling of “disappointment” in her squad following the end of their unbeaten run.
“We created opportunities and just didn’t convert them, especially in the second half,” said a reflective Appleby, “There’s disappointment, but you’ve got to move on and prep for Loughborough. We’ve had a look back at what we did and now look forward to what’s coming on Saturday.
“The best thing about the league at the moment is you get to go again a week later against a really good side and that’s what’s important.”
Against the table-toppers, Appleby’s side responded to an early setback to lead at the break, before a strong second half showing from the hosts swung momentum and the result in their favour.
“It’s funny when you go in 21-10 up at half-time against a team like Saracens. It’s about who can make the better adjustments and tweaks,” highlighted Appleby. “They did and Zoe Harrison (Saracens fly-half) was outstanding on the day. She kicked us around the field which wasn’t unexpected and they got the better of us. But, there was some good stuff (from us).
“At the start of the season, we would’ve had less expectations, but that’s why we’re so disappointed.”
The build-up to last weekend’s match was marred by an injury in training to fly-half Taylor Black, Appleby confirming this week that the Canadian international would be ruled out for the rest of the season.
Despite the setback, Appleby is able to rely on the experience of Spaniard Patricia Garcia, who will again occupy the 10 jersey this weekend.
“We’ve lost Taylor sadly and she won’t be playing for us again this season, but the girls rally around that. With Pat (Garcia) moving to 10, we’ve had a bit more time with her now at 10. Flo has been away again with England camp. All clubs are facing challenges and it’s what we do with those challenges.”
Visitors Loughborough secured a tense 14-7 victory over Appleby’s side in the reverse fixture back in December and will be hurting themselves, coming off the back of a comprehensive 36-14 defeat to playoff rivals Wasps last weekend.
Appleby isn’t taking anything for granted though and expects a titanic battle against a vastly experienced side that will be buoyed by the return to fitness of England captain Sarah Hunter.
“They’ve got outstanding players. They’ve got a quality pack; Lark Davies the England hooker is absolutely world class. Couple that with Helena Rowland and Scaz (Emily Scarratt) in the backline and it comes again.”
Ahead of tomorrow's match-up, Appleby has challenged her side to do more with the opportunities they create, knowing that the will be limited against top-class opposition. If her side head her words, she expects that they will be as competitive as ever on Saturday.
“The invitation to the girls on Saturday is to be more accurate when we get those opportunities as against good sides, they don’t come around that often. If we can be more accurate and clinical, especially in the red zone, then I think we’ll do well on Saturday.”
With challenges though, come opportunities and Appleby is resolute in her belief that her side can continue to unravel the puzzle of competing against these top-level sides on a regular basis.
“All of these teams are full of quality players and the girls are really enjoying analysing them and seeing how we can potentially unravel these good sides. The excitement is palpable every single week and for us it’s just brilliant because working it out is like a game of chess. What can we do to exploit an opportunity?”
Fresh from being named in the Ireland squad for their Six Nations campaign, Appleby confirmed that winger Laura Sheehan would be making her first start for the club, in the only alteration to her matchday XV, Niamh Terry reverting to the bench.
“Laura has been training really well and deserves an opportunity,” she explained. “Other than that, it’s quite consistent again. The girls are doing really well.”
The only other alteration to the matchday personnel, sees Daisy French return amongst the replacements in place of Rosanna Moynihan.
Supporters will be able to watch the action from Sandy Park via the Exeter Chiefs YouTube channel on Saturday, with coverage starting from 2.30pm.
EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN'S TEAM TO FACE LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING
15 Merryn Doidge
14 Laura Sheehan
13 Kate Zackary
12 Gabby Cantorna
11 Garnet Mackinder
10 Patricia Garcia
9 Flo Robinson
1 Olivia DeMerchant
2 Emily Tuttosi
3 Sachiko Kato
4 Poppy Leitch
5 McKinley Hunt
6 Ebony Jefferies
7 Rachel Johnson
8 Linde van der Velden (capt)
16 Joanna Kitlinski
17 Michaella Roberts
18 Laura Delgado
19 Abbie Fleming
20 Daisy French
21 Meg Davies
22 Niamh Terry
23 Louise Burgess