Chiefs Women to face Worcester Warriors
By Harry Scott-Munro
12/2/21
Exeter Chiefs Women’s Head Coach Susie Appleby is “under no illusions” about the challenge her side will face tomorrow as they head back on the road to face Worcester Warriors at Sixways (2pm).
Buoyed by back-to-back victories over previously unbeaten Saracens and Harlequins, Appleby is relishing this latest match-up which, if successful, would give her side their first league double of the season in the Allianz Premier 15s.
Looking to build on what was a huge defensive display against Harlequins, who were denied a try for the first time this season, Appleby wants more of the same against the Midlanders.
“The defence was really good last week,” she said. “That said, we didn’t seem to have the ball very much and that’s what it feels like for the players, so they’ve been really determined to try and improve on that for this week.”
Despite her joy at securing a second consecutive victory last time out, Appleby could still see areas for her side to improve heading into this weekend’s clash with the Warriors.
“It’s just cutting out the errors. Fifteen errors (last week) a couple of which were unforced, coupled with ten penalties in defence is just unacceptable,” she continued. “How we survived the game is beyond me, but we did and that shows the character, heart and desire of the girls.”
This season has also seen a number of the men’s coaching staff impart their wisdom on the women’s squad and Appleby has been thrilled with the messages that external voices have given to her side.
“Rob Hunter did a session with us on Tuesday, which was brilliant, around the attacking breakdown. There’s little bits that we’re focusing on every week, but making sure we don’t go away from the bigger picture which is our performance.”
With a bitter cold snap covering much of the country, the South West has not seen too much snow. However, the freezing temperatures have taken a toll on the pitches with Appleby “really grateful” to Exeter College for allowing her side to use their 3G pitch to train this week.
“It’s a bit different (the 3G pitch) probably not quite the same surface as Sixways. The bounce of the ball is different, you can restart without any issues as it’s not so muddy. It’s a bit different which has been good, (although) still very windy.”
The temporary training surroundings have been useful for Appleby’s side, with the coaching team minimising the amount of contact in training, as a result of two intense weeks in a row of fixtures.
“We’ve come off them a bit this week because we’ve had two really physical encounters,” explains Appleby. “We’ve looked at little bits to improve on and focused on those but it’s been much less physical than it has been in previous weeks, which is really important when you get into game three in three weeks.
“Everyone is quite tired, quite honestly, but I’m sure they’ll be raring to go when it gets to Saturday.”
The toll of those matches against Saracens and Harlequins has been seen on Appleby’s match-day side, with centre Lauren Cattell and prop Michaella Roberts both ruled out of this weekend’s fixture due to concussion.
As a result of Cattell’s concussion, Lottie Holland switches to the centre where she has “spent most of her career,” with Merryn Doidge shifting to the wing allowing talented Welsh full-back Niamh Terry her first start in Chiefs colours having impressed off the bench so far this season.
Discussing the backline reshuffle, Appleby was keen to highlight the ability of her players, which will not leave her side lacking when the ball is shipped out wide.
“Merryn moves onto the wing, where she is very comfortable and very good. That gives Niamh Terry an opportunity to get her first start at the back which is really exciting for her.”
There are also two changes on the bench for Appleby’s side with Daisy French returning to the match-day squad alongside Louise Burgess.
“We’re trying to get better as a squad of 44, especially as a 23 every time we take the field, so I’m excited (for Saturday.)”
It was against Worcester that Appleby’s side secured their maiden Premier 15s victory back in Round 4. However, she is expecting a completely different beast to await her side this weekend.
“Sixways is a tough place to go, it’s quite intimidating in itself. Worcester are very different at home to when they’re on the road. We’ve prepped carefully again, hopefully quite accurately, for what’s to come and are ready for it.”
Despite their league position, the Warriors have shone at times this season, pushing a number of the established teams close over the course of 70 minutes and Appleby is wary of the threat they will pose.
“What I would say is that the score-lines where they haven’t come out on the right side have not reflected their performances.
“Last week, away at Wasps, which again is a very tough place to go, the first half was very even and Wasps just got the better of them in the second half. We’re under no illusions about what we’re up against on Saturday.”
EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN TO FACE WORCESTER WARRIORS WOMEN
15 Niamh Terry
14 Merryn Doidge
13 Lottie Holland
12 Gabby Cantorna
11 Garnet Mackinder
10 Taylor Black
9 Flo Robinson
1 Olivia DeMerchant
2 Emily Tuttosi
3 Sachiko Kato
4 Poppy Leitch
5 McKinley Hunt
6 Ebony Jefferies
7 Kate Zackary
8 Linde van der Velden (capt)
16 Joanna Kitlinski
17 Kayleigh Armstrong
18 Abbie Fleming
19 Daisy French
20 Rachel Johnson
21 Meg Davies
22 Laura Sheehan
23 Louise Burgess