It was far from pretty at times, but Saracens defeated Leicester Tigers in the Premiership Women’s Rugby to cement second place and a chance at a home semi-final.
What made it even more enjoyable to watch on Sunday afternoon was the performance of Zoe Harrison in her first start in more than three months as she continued to pile up valuable minutes after returning from a serious knee injury.
The England fly-half has not featured for the Red Roses since the 2022 World Cup final after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in February last year, but his crucial contribution to his side’s 54-19 victory was reflective of a player who has come close to him. the best.
The timing of her performance at StoneX couldn’t have been better, with England head coach John Mitchell naming the Women’s Six Nations squad next Monday; just like many other Saracens.
Harrison looks ahead to first England camp in more than a year
Harrison is one of several Saracens players expected to attend the Red Roses’ training camp at St George’s Park this week. A nine-month spell on the sidelines that meant she missed last year’s Women’s Six Nations tournament and the first WXV tournament has seen Holly Aitchison wear the No.10 jersey in 2023 as the Red Roses remain unbeaten for the entire calendar year.
He made a serious impression in his first start since November 25. The 25-year-old was instrumental in opening up vital field position for the home side early with a score in 50:22 that put an inspired Tigers team under pressure, before slotting in a ball that tested the visitors’ defence. He also made clever use of the space behind Leicester’s defense with a chip that proved to be the attacking platform for Jess Breach’s second-half score.
If his wild hitting was outstanding, his ability to excel in the contact area was equally evident. He scored a well-worked tackle try, passing through four Leicester players and distributing well when Saracens had the ball. The only blemish on his report card, his place kicks also cost him money as he attempted to convert Lotte Clapp’s 68th minute try.
The 46-capped England international, who has managed his minutes carefully since returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury last autumn, insisted he had no thoughts of starting for the Red Roses in this year’s championship. “I’ve been out for a year. “I don’t expect any big magical things to happen,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll go to camp, train and see if I get picked. I’m trying to get in and feel it again. I’m trying to get sharper and that’s the main thing.”
Helena Rowland has been handed the reins at Loughborough Lightning, leading to an intriguing battle for the number 10 jersey. Rowland has been deployed at full-back, center and fly-half throughout his England career, but it was in the latter position that he was most effective in adding excitement to Loughbourugh’s attack.
Cleall responds to England training camp neglect
Cleall was surprisingly left out of England’s Six Nations training squad in January despite putting together a string of eye-catching performances in the first half of the domestic season. He is likely to be selected for England’s three-day training camp this week due to his positive reaction to being left out.
He was his usual ruthless self against the Tigers, with his sharpness around the attack that led to Harrison’s opening try. The back rower made a genuine effort to chase down and collect Harrison’s chip which provided Jess Breach’s second half score, then moved on for his final try which added extra shine to his side’s scoreline.
For all her good work in the middle, she was sin-binned by referee Nikki O’Donnell for backhand chatting in a high-pressure incident that saw Saracen maintain a head-to-head contact with Leicester’s Jade Jones.
Such incidents are unlikely to leave a glowing impression on Mitchell, who is known to value players’ temperament as much as their rugby ability. “You look at characters probably by comparing skill sets because of the parity between each player,” he told Telegraph Sport last month when pressed about the selection criteria.
Saracens’ calls greet new-look England
Sydney Gregson and Sharifa Kasolo are the other two faces expected to be included in England’s training camp this week. Gregson, a dynamic center who has been part of Saracens’ backline this season, won the first of her three appearances for England in the 2015 Women’s Six Nations when she was 19.
The 28-year-old has been one of Saracens’ most consistent players since returning from a 13-month layoff due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, missing most of the club’s title-winning season in 2021-22.
Kasolo, an abrasive winger, was named in England’s training squad for January. The former netball player picked up a rugby ball after being scouted at the freshmen fair at Loughborough University a few years ago and has become the focal point of the Saracens squad this year.
The physical back row launched a series of leg breakers but tripped Marlie Packer in the 50th minute; For all their growing pains, Saracens brought firepower from the bench to get rid of the Tigers’ stout side. is showing signs of settling into the women’s top flight.