Chiefs Women to face Sale Sharks
By Harry Scott-Munro
6/11/21
After several weeks without a match, Exeter Chiefs Women will aim to kick of their Allianz Cup campaign on the right note, as they make the trip to Sale Sharks tomorrow (2pm).
Several weeks on from a disappointing league defeat to Saracens, the cup competition offers an opportunity for a number of players to put their hands up and impress for Susie Appleby’s side.
It’s a challenge that the Head Coach admitted has bred “a lot of excitement” in the side - especially with a number of players preparing to pull on an Exeter Chiefs shirt for the first time.
“There’s a lot of excitement in the camp and a lot of people going on the field for the first time in a Chiefs shirt,” explained Appleby. “There are also others who haven’t played in a long time and have been biding their time and waiting, so there’s a lot of excitement and also a few nerves as well. It’s going to be a challenge to go up to Sale, but the girls are ready.”
The Chiefs beat Sale 54-0 in the league earlier this season, but Appleby is expecting a very different test against a side that comfortably saw off Loughborough 43-15 in their opening cup match last weekend, praising the impact of Rachel Taylor, since her arrival back in September.
“Rachel Taylor is a very good coach and has played for and coached Wales. She came in around that game they lost at Sandy Park, but I’ve seen them add a lot of physicality since she’s arrived, so we’re really going to have to be on our game,” Appleby admitted. “She will have also refined their lineout and set-piece, so I think we’re looking at a very different side.”
There have also been additions to the Sale squad in that time too, with Appleby highlighting the arrival of Scottish international Lisa Thomson, as well as the impact of 18-year-old Lizzie Duffy, who she sees as “Katy Daley-McLean’s protégé” at fly-half, after both impressed in Sale’s victory over Loughborough.
“They’ve got some exciting players coming through but that’s the really good thing about this cup,” said Appleby. “They beat Loughborough Lightning last week and looked very good. Worcester also beat Saracens so there’s lots of topsy-turvy results going on, but that’s really good for the league.”
Focusing on her own side though, Appleby was excited about the opportunities on offer for a number of her players. In all, there are seven players in the match-day side in line to make their debuts for the club, with the standout name being Scottish international full-back Chloe Rollie.
Appleby was understandably delighted to have the opportunity to see her summer recruit in action for the first time, praising her as a “world class athlete.”
“Chloe Rollie is a world class player. She’s only with us for this game before going back into the Scotland camp but she’ll be really looking forward to getting a run-out.”
In the centres, there is also an Exeter debut for Exeter University student Nancy McGillivray. Appleby has been impressed with what she’s seen from the young player so far this season, challenging her to “keep doing what she’s been doing” in previous matches.
“Nancy has been doing really well for the university and has also impressed at U20s level,” Appleby mused. “She just needs to get out there and do what she’s been doing in all her other games. We’re excited to see what performance she can put on.”
There are also debuts in the starting XV for prop Abby Middlebrooke, who was named in an Exeter match-day side for the first time last season, at the same venue where she will make her debut on Saturday, as well as second-row Charlie Willett and Scottish back-row Eilidh Sinclair.
Speaking of Sinclair, Appleby was excited to see how the flanker performs, having moved from centre to the backrow during a long period on the sidelines with an ACL injury.
“Eilidh is quick, powerful and she gets over the ball quickly. I really think it could suit her making that change [into the backrow,]” noted Appleby.
There are also first starts of the season for Spanish international pair Laura Delgado and Patricia Garcia, with England pair Merryn Doidge and Flo Robinson released back to the Chiefs to start on the wing and at scrum-half respectively. Robinson will co-captain the side alongside Poppy Leitch, with Maisy Allen also in line for her first start for the club, after impressing off the bench so far this season in the league.
Amongst the replacements, Michaella Roberts, Kayleigh Armstrong and Garnet Mackinder could all make their first appearances of the season after featuring for Susie Appleby’s side in the 2020/21 campaign, whilst Alia McCarthy and Charlie Woodman could also make their debuts for the club if called upon.
Despite the large number of changes in personnel, Appleby expressed her hope that her side can start to build something in the competition, with an emphasis on players showing what they can do from the first minute on Saturday.
“We’re going to go up there and give it our best shot. Hopefully everyone puts their best foot forward, to take us through and into our second cup game.”
