'Although I was boogying and smiling away I just felt empty'
Writing this column isn’t easy… One because I still don’t think I’ve fully processed how I feel about Saturday and two, because I have a broken thumb so I am having to type with one hand.
For over 48,000 people, Saturday was mesmerising. From Bugs Bunny hopping around the stadium, to Sophie Ellis-Bextor performing ‘It’s Murder on the Dancefloor’ in a silver sequin dress, Twickenham came alive!
Not to mention the phenomenal display from the Red Roses scoring 14 tries against a developing Irish side with stand-out performances from Ellie Kildunne and Zoe Aldcroft.
My memory of the day is slightly different as I was ruled out after the warm-up. I managed to dislocate and break my thumb in a tackle drill and unfortunately, our team doctor couldn’t make it stable enough to play. Hearing the words “we are pulling you from the game” was heartbreaking.
Not only was I devastated as I’d worked so hard to get into that shirt, I felt so much guilt for letting my teammates down last minute and felt so bad for all my family and friends who had made the effort to come and watch me.
I spent the first half of the game in the medical room getting X-rays and getting a cast made. I am massively grateful for my teammate Zoe Harrison who stayed with me the whole time as I went through moments of crying hysterically followed by fits of giggles induced by gas and air! We managed to get out at half-time to watch the half-time act and although I was boogying and smiling away I just felt empty.
The girls were incredible. All week we trained well – there was a real positive energy floating around and we looked slick on the pitch. Everything clicked for them and it was an exciting style of rugby to watch.
This week will be our biggest test… France away is never easy but we perform well under pressure. As a group, we love being challenged so I can imagine all the players are up for it and want to finish on a high in Bordeaux. Winning is one thing, but winning a Grand Slam is an even better feeling.
France have a few different threats to their game. They like to play fast rugby taking the quick tap options when they can as well as utilising their pacey back line to take the edge. I think England have a real opportunity to put their marker down as the best set-piece team in this tournament and disrupt/control momentum.
As for me, I will be cheering the girls on from home with a newly attached thumb! I would do anything to be out there playing but I know the girls will get the job done and bring home the trophy!
Don’t miss ‘Super Saturday’ this weekend, with three amazing matches going on throughout the day. The big one, the Grand Slam decider, kicks off at 16:45 BST. Coverage starts at 16:20 on BBC One – make sure you tune in to watch it and hopefully, you’ll see England win another Grand Slam!
Comments on RugbyPass
End to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
7 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to comments