Exciting names for Red Roses’ fans in upcoming TikTok Six Nations 2022

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Exciting names for Red Roses’ fans in upcoming TikTok Six Nations 2022

It is time to get excited for the women’s TikTok Six Nations 2022. Beginning

Simon Middleton has named the 40-woman training squad for the tournament and fresh from an unbeaten Autumn series England will be looking to claim their 18th title. Here are some of the exciting names to look out for in the Red Roses’ squad in preparation for the tournament.

Zoe Aldcroft

Aldcroft (see main photo) is now a bonafide superstar. Fresh of being named Women’s XVs World Player of the Year, the second-row heads into the tournament as a vital cog of the Red Roses’ forward pack.

She will bring huge amounts of energy to both sides of the ball and her work rate is phenomenal. England’s maul was a potent weapon in the Autumn and Aldcroft will look for more of the same against their European opponents. Possibly not one of the most vocally confrontational players but a leader nonetheless, her experience leading her country in the Autumn will have been a great experience for both her and the Red Roses. Simon Middleton will be looking to make minor adjustments to the pack for the World Cup, but one certainty is that Aldcroft will defiantly feature fitness allowing.

Zoe Harrison

The Saracens number 10 looks to have won the battle with Rowland for the England flyhalf shirt. It felt like the Autumn was a real coming of age period for Harrison as she proved why England fans will remember Katy Daley-McLean for the legend she was, but still feel like they are in safe hands.

Harrison has perhaps the best kicking game of any player in women’s rugby, and it is precisely this skill that allows her to marshal her team around the field with such authority on the game. She may not be required to be on place-kicking duty over the next few months due to the return of certain other players to the team but this is another element of her game that is simply exemplary.

Perhaps a 10 whose instinct is not to run the ball from everywhere although we have seen in the Premier 15s that she is excellent at pulling the trigger and orchestrating an attack when it is on.

Emily Scarratt

One of the biggest names in world rugby makes her return to the international stage. Having been out since September with a broken leg, the outside centre returns to a squad that has found a way to cope without the outside centre.

Many feared that without the Loughborough back, England would struggle to find someone to fill that 13 jersey. However, in the Autumn, England experimented with Holly Aitchison and Lagi Tuima who both showed that they could do an excellent job when required. No one will completely replace Scarratt though and her return will add so much to England’s attacking game and leadership on the field.

Without her, England created depth; with her back, England have some world-class firepower.

Poppy Cleall

Nominated for World Player of the Year last year, and winner of the Six Nations Player of the Tournament last time out, Cleall will be looking to have another brilliant tournament.

Whether she plays in her preferred position of number 8 or slots in a blindside or lock, Cleall is a fan favourite thanks to her eye-catching work ball in hand. Sarah Hunter may take the eight jersey but, the England coaches will know they need to find a place for Cleall in the team for her ability to constantly get over the gain line.

Another player to have the captaincy in the Autumn, her stature within the team is growing but with World Cup spots up for grabs she will be looking to make a statement in a white jersey.

Abby Dow

Another world-class player in England’s backline. Dow was included in the World Rugby Women’s XVs team of the year, and has no doubt flourished for her Wasps Ladies club since those achievements.

The Wasps winger is electric ball in hand, and possesses blistering pace. Tries in the Autumn in both games against the Black Ferns and the USA show how she brings her domestic form onto the world arena and opposing defences will be spending lots of time worrying about the threat she can be. Many wingers can be sensational ball in hand but then fail to make an impact in defensive duty. No, Abby Dow is not one such player, and her ability to get back and make those last-ditch tackles could prove the difference in tight games.

It is this combination of x-factor built on incredible basics that make her one of many exciting names for the Red Roses in the upcoming tournament.

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TikTok Six Nations championship 2022 – Round One: Friday, March 26/Saturday, March 27

 

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