Chiefs Women to face Saracens
By Harry Scott-Munro
19/3/21
Head Coach Susie Appleby admits that games “don’t come any bigger,” as her Exeter Chiefs side look to continue their winning momentum in the Allianz Premier 15s against reigning champions Saracens at StoneX Stadium tomorrow (2pm).
Last time out at Twyford Avenue, Appleby’s side showed huge resilience to recover from 22-7 down to secure a 31-29 victory against fourth-placed Wasps, a result that kept their play-off dream very much alive.
“We’ve beaten Saracens, Harlequins, Wasps, three very good sides,” explains Appleby. “It makes our girls feel confident and the beauty of our girls is that they don’t know everyone in the league, so every team is just another team for them and that is how we’re dealing with every game and we’re coming out with some good results.”
Saracens come into this fixture having dispatched Sale Sharks 47-18 at the StoneX Stadium in last weekend’s rearranged fixture. That result moved them six points clear at the top of the table and they will be gunning for revenge against the Chiefs, after Appleby’s side ended their 33-match unbeaten run at Sandy Park back in January.
“They’d never been here (Sandy Park) and never played against us. What we did was impose our physicality really early on and never let up. That was what really made the difference at the end of the day,” Appleby stated. “They didn’t suddenly become a poor side; they just couldn’t really play and that’s what we need to do to all sides.”
Appleby is well aware of the threat that Saracens pose and is expecting a “huge game” this weekend.
“They’ve got quality players all across the board, whether they are missing players or not; Whoever is playing is in that Saracens shirt, they are a good player. We’re under no illusions of the task ahead but the girls feel pretty ready for it.”
Whilst Saracens played last weekend, the Chiefs had a scheduled rest week, allowing for a few running repairs and a chance for Appleby to take stock of the position the side find themselves in with just four rounds to go.
“The girls had a couple of lighter days and then it’s been looking at the things we need to make a bit more of an improvement on and then a bit more of the same, prepping for a huge game against Saracens.”
Continuity has been important for Appleby this season and, despite several injury enforced changes to her side, Appleby insists that “the rest starts to take shape” from being able to name an unchanged set of forwards week in week out.
In the pack there is just one change from the fixture against Wasps, as captain Linde Van der Velden returns from injury to start at No.8, with Kate Zackary moving into the centres in a move that Appleby had intended to make for the match against Wasps, before Van der Velden’s injury was confirmed.
Explaining the thinking behind her selection, Appleby was confident in the ability of the American national captain to do a job for her side.
“Kate is a very good player. She’s played on the 7s circuit, she’s quick, very versatile and very able. We’re not going to massively change the way we play because she puts a 13 shirt on. 7 and 13 are quite interchangeable skills.”
In the backs, an injury in training to fly-half Taylor Black has ruled her out, forcing Appleby into something of a reshuffle in the backline. Flo Robinson moves back to scrum-half, having started at centre against Wasps, with Spanish international Patricia Garcia moving to fly-half in the absence of Black.
The last few week’s have been extremely positive for the women’s game, with the news of a viability study being commissioned into the possibility of a women’s Lions Tour, alongside the news of a global calendar for the women’s game, with the announcement of the WXV series starting in 2023, guaranteeing sides a minimum of six international fixtures a season.
Appleby is delighted to see the growth of the women’s game, with such positive news in the last fortnight following the disappointment of the postponement of the World Cup in New Zealand.
“To be a female player is just unbelievable at the moment. They announced this morning the new World 7s Series dates which is super exciting and then, a couple of days ago this WXV was announced. It’s going to be an extraordinary competition, a worldwide competition that happens every year except World Cup year,” said a delighted Appleby.
The idea of the WXV calendar is that it will allow for promotion and relegation between tiers, with highly competitive matches at each level. Appleby is positive that this will only help further improve the level of the women’s game.
“That just absolutely raises the roof in terms of competition across the female game and gives everyone that chance, whatever the appropriate level, to be playing very competitive games which hasn’t been a reality up to now. It’s amazing news for the women’s game and it’s only going from strength to strength.”
Supporters will be able to watch tomorrow’s match against Saracens by registering for Saracens Wolfpack for free on the Saracens website.
EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN’S TEAM TO FACE SARACENS WOMEN
15 Niamh Terry
14 Merryn Doidge
13 Kate Zackary
12 Gabby Cantorna
11 Garnet Mackinder
10 Patricia Garcia
9 Flo Robinson
1 Olivia De Merchant
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 Rosanna Moynihan
21 Meg Davies
22 Laura Sheehan
23 Louise Burgess