5. SARAH BECKETT FACES THREE MATCH BAN BUT REMAINS IN CAMP
A major talking point of England’s opening Women’s Six Nations win over Italy, was Sarah Beckett’s eleventh minute sending off after foul play at the ruck. Beckett was initially sent to the bunker, for her ‘croc roll’ clear-out to go under the scrutiny of the off field reviewers, and unfortunately for the number eight, Beckett was then shown a red card from the referee.
It was confirmed that Beckett has been issued with a three match ban for the offence, as the rugby officials clamp down on the illegal method of removing a player from the breakdown. Beckett will miss England’s upcoming matches against Wales, Scotland and Ireland, yet will remain in camp with the Red Roses, with the plan of a return for the France finale.
This rules out the possibility of Poppy Cleall returning to the Red Roses squad, after the back-rower was left out of the wider group upon Mitchell’s squad update. Beckett’s Gloucester-Hartpury teammate Alex Matthews will instead pack down the back of the scrum, with Micthell issuing the following thoughts on the selection.
JOHN MITCHELL: “Yeah, it’s disappointing for Sarah, because she only actually contributed a few minutes. Naturally, you get around and support your teammate. It was a race to the breakdown, she didn’t quite get it right. And obviously, there’s a consequence, but she will, she’ll get over it. She’s a strong person, and she will now have to just present herself, you know, with really good conditioning and be available for the French selection.”
“Definitely. Obviously, I did need to chat to her before we depart today, but yeah, definitely, there will be plans in place for her to be available for France, for France selection.”
“Alex Matthews is again a world class number eight. She demonstrated again last year. If you look at the selection, it’s their team has a lot of belief. They perform very well in WXV.I believe it’s a big, big thing. So yeah, players are chasing each other, which is good as well. So it’s gonna be a competition. Poppy Cleall we’ll just have to wait for her opportunity.”