Chiefs Women's side to face Saracens
By Harry Scott-Munro
29/1/21
After a two-week break from Allianz Premier 15s action, Susie Appleby is well aware of the challenge her Exeter Chiefs side will face against a Saracens side that “ooze quality” all over the park.
Tomorrow, the two lock horns in a mouth-watering top-flight clash at Sandy Park (1:30pm).
It will be Exeter's first competitive action since defeating Bristol Bears 31-27 in their last outing. Garnet Mackinder's late score ensured the Devonians of their fourth win of the season, this despite playing much of the second half with 14 players following Patricia Garcia’s red card.
Now, head coach Appleby is looking for her side to pick up from where they left off against the unbeaten Londoners, who have secured seven wins from as many starts so far this season.
“When we played Bristol we got a really good result in the face of adversity after losing a player," said Appleby. "It is what it is, but the girls are just getting better and better, both on and off the field, and they just really appreciate being supported the way we’re supporting them.”
It has been something of a stop-start season thus far due to the continuing Covid-19 outbreak - and the lack of continuity has been something that has frustrated Appleby at times. However, she is hoping that an extended period of games will help her side continue to build momentum.
“It’s just a shame we can’t get any continuity at the moment, but what we hope is we’ll play Saracens on Saturday and then we’ll play and continue to play. Then, we will develop some continuity, but the girls are really excited to get back on the field.”
Tomorrow’s match will also be livestreamed by the RFU, something that Appleby sees as a “massive compliment” to her side with the head coach looking forward to supporters being able to watch her side play against one of the league’s best.
“I think they’re going to love it! Of course, there’s loads of history in the men’s game, but there’s no history in our game.
“They (Saracens) are a quality side that put it on the field consistently and therefore that’s why they have been champions two of the past three seasons. We’ll give them the respect they are obviously due. The girls were ready to play against them before Christmas [but] super excited to play against a quality side like that now.”
It has been six weeks since Saracens last took to the field against Loughborough Lightning, although Appleby is expecting a huge challenge for her side.
“We know Sarries will come with changes, they haven’t played for a long time. Could they be a bit rusty? I doubt it, that’s not Sarries.”
Despite not expecting any rust from Saracens, Appleby still feels there are parts of the London clubs’ game that her side can look to exploit.
“The onus comes back onto us. They’re an amazing side but they’re vulnerable at times, as Wasps found, as Loughborough found at times in the game. We’ve had a good look at them and the challenge for us is can we unpick them at the right times in the right areas of the field and make the most of any opportunities we create.”
Tomorrow’s game also signals the start of the second half of the season for the Chiefs and Appleby is delighted with how her side have performed in their debut campaign and with how her squad is developing both on and off the pitch.
“We’re mid-table and above where we wanted to be,” added Appleby. "That shows the desire of the players to keep improving, to keep asking questions and probing the defence.
“We’re happy and we want to get better, that’s all we want to do. Now we have a second half of the season to see how good we can get.”
As for her side, Appleby makes two changes to the starting XV with Flo Robinson starting just her second game at scrum-half following Garcia’s five-game suspension. The only other change to the starting team sees Canadian international Olivia DeMerchant start with Laura Delgado dropping to the bench.
“Liv has been playing really well, as has Bimba [Delgado] and we need to prep now as Bimba is going to be going off with Spain for quite a considerable period, along with Pat [Garcia]. That brings an opportunity for Liv and she’s ready. She’s a world class player and she’ll get to start this weekend. It’s well deserved.
“The scrum-half berth is interesting. Pat is serving a suspension, however also prepping to play for her country. That allows Flo [Robinson] to consolidate on the opportunities she’s had so far. Flo is becoming a very good player and she’s confident which is great aged 19.”
On the bench, there are also a number of potential Chiefs debuts with American pair Joanna Kitlinski and Rachel Johnson ready to make their Premiership bow after arriving earlier this month. Irish international Laura Sheehan could also be in line for her first competitive minutes, as she is again named amongst the replacements.
At scrum-half, Garcia’s absence and injury to Ffion Lewis sees young scrum-half Meg Davies named in the match-day side for the first time this season. Appleby is looking forward to seeing what she can do once she gets out onto the field.
The only other change sees Alex Powell named amongst the replacements having missed the previous few games due to work commitments.
EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN TO FACE SARACENS WOMEN
15 Merryn Doidge
14 Lottie Holland
13 Lauren Cattell
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 Laura Delgado
18 Michaella Roberts
19 Alex Powell
20 Rachel Johnson
21 Meg Davies
22 Laura Sheehan
23 Niamh Terry