Chiefs Women to face Worcester Warriors
By Harry Scott-Munro
25/2/22
A week on from an agonising late defeat against Loughborough Lightning, Exeter Chiefs Women will be hoping that home comforts will see them get back on the winning trail when they take on Worcester Warriors in the Allianz Premier 15s tomorrow (2pm).
Undone at the death by Loughborough, this despite dominating for large parts of the second half, Chiefs Assistant Coach Steve Salvin felt that a bit of mismanagement in the final minutes of the game was what ultimately cost his side.
“We had six or seven opportunities in the first half where a skill error forced a turnover. We could’ve been more clinical there and converted a few of those opportunities into points,” he admitted. “Then it’s potentially a different game in those final minutes. We mismanaged those final seven or eight minutes, but you have days where you play well and something like that costs you.”
This week has seen a real focus in training on clarity in that decision-making with Salvin explaining that it was something that the whole squad needed to focus on.
“We’ve tried to clarify certain things about certain scenarios. We’re not just asking the half-backs to control things; it needs to be broader,” he added. “When the pressure comes on, we need to be able to make those decisions with clarity. We’ve tried to create some scenarios in training for the girls to react to, which they have done.”
Despite the defeat, the performance on the pitch was one of the most pleasing aspects. Salvin pointed out that there had been times this season where his side had won games they perhaps didn’t deserve to and, even in defeat, saw last weekend as a big step forward.
“We’ve had games this year where the shoe has been on the other foot, and we’ve not really deserved to win but managed to. That happens sometimes but the big thing we’ve taken away was that it was a big step in the right direction with the performance.”
With just four rounds of the regular season remaining, Exeter sit in the final play-off spot. With the league table closer than ever before, any slip up could allow sides below them to take advantage.
Worcester may be out of the play-off conversation, but they have the ability to upset anyone on their day, running current league leaders Saracens close a few weeks ago.
The away fixture at Sixways earlier this season saw the Chiefs put in a clinical performance to secure a bonus-point victory in Salvin’s second game as part of the coaching team. The assistant coach was quick to praise this weekend’s opponents, highlighting just how difficult a side they are to play against.
“We came away with a decent result on the night, but we really had to fight to get anything from it. They have a big, physical forward pack and a fairly varied kicking game. They’ve got some really direct carriers in the forwards and the backs too so they will definitely be a threat.”
Salvin is well aware of the threat that Worcester will pose at Sandy Park and has challenged his side to improve in the cauldron of pressure that comes during the match.
“We need to be equally as good as we were in the main last weekend to get a result here. We need to replicate that level of performance. Hopefully the girls will be better in those high-pressure scenarios.”
Ahead of this one, Salvin and Head Coach Susie Appleby have made a number of changes.
In the pack, Emily Tuttosi returns at hooker after suffering a concussion against Gloucester-Hartpury. She is joined in the pack by compatriot McKinley Hunt, who makes her first start since Harlequins in Round 3 after working her way back to full fitness off the bench.
With Rachel Johnson injured, co-captains Poppy Leitch and Kate Zackary will line-up on the flanks, with Linde van der Velden reverting to No.8.
There are changes too in the backline, with Nancy McGillivray replacing the injured Zintle Mpupha in the centres and a first league start for Eilidh Sinclair, who is named on the wing.
On the bench, there are returns to the side for Abby Middlebrooke, Maisy Allen and Gabby Senft, with Appleby and Salvin utilising a 6-2 split.
With a real emphasis on leadership and decision-making around the park, this game could prove crucial for the Chiefs come the final reckoning and Salvin knows that come tomorrow, his side will be in for a “real battle.”
“The biggest compliment I can pay Worcester is that you have to beat them. What I mean by that is that they never disappear. Even if you get a couple of scores, they aren’t a team who will roll over. They constantly fight and there’s a lot to be said for that. It’s going to be a real battle.”
