Jess Thirlby has warned her England gamers that they’re the staff everybody desires to beat within the Netball Nations Cup, dwell on Sky Sports activities, and so they ‘should work tremendous laborious’ to safe the trophy.
England kickstart their Nations Cup marketing campaign towards the world No 7 staff Malawi on Saturday February 1, dwell on Sky Sports activities, whereas the match additionally consists of South Africa and Uganda.
The Vitality Roses impressed final yr, defeating world No 1 Australia for simply the third time in September, however – with either side carefully positioned on the earth rankings – profitable the Nations Cup won’t be a simple feat.
England head coach Thirlby has highlighted the obstacles her staff will face, together with being with out injured key gamers Helen Housby, Eleanor Cardwell, Nat Metcalf and Lois Pearson.
“We are the team they want to beat in order to get some ranking points and move up themselves, so they’ll be hot on our heels I have no doubt about that,” mentioned Thirlby, who has referred to as up Emma Thacker from England A to exchange Pearson. “We should work tremendous laborious to get it over the road.
“In the meanwhile it is so necessary we keep, nonetheless cliched, on the method and serving to put together the staff for 3 very completely different challenges in fast succession.
“We’re in search of consistency and this offers us an excellent alternative to consolidate the distinction between being ranked in that prime 4 and beneath.
“We really want to try and stamp our authority on that and create a big gap between those nations that are underneath us and where we see ourselves needing to head.”
England fought laborious in Australia, ultimately struggling a 2-1 collection defeat following a decisive 69-56 loss, with Thirlby taking loads of positives from her staff’s performances towards the world’s elite staff.
“We’ve bought with us now a generation of Roses players and it’s invaluable that they can look themselves in the mirror and they know they’ve done that [competed against the world’s best],” Thirlby added.
“It has a ripple effect and we’ve got more players in the programme and in the squad now that have seen the Roses team beat nations above them more frequently, so they’re not coming in with in any hangover of being a third or fourth-placed team repeatedly.
“They’re beginning to perceive it is attainable, it has been achieved, I need part of that.”
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Highlights from the ultimate Take a look at between New Zealand and Vitality Roses, the place the Roses misplaced however nonetheless received the Take a look at collection 2-1
Who’s enjoying for England within the Vitality Netball Nations Cup?
Cardwell (on account of return from damage), Metcalf (on account of being pregnant) and Housby (on account of membership commitments) have been unavailable for choice. Thacker was elevated from the England A aspect on January 24, following an damage to Lois Pearson.
Helen Housby won’t characteristic for England within the Vitality Netball Nations Cup
England’s squad (right as of January 28): Halimat Adio, Imogen Allison, Amy Carter, Beth Cobden, Zara Everitt, Funmi Fadoju, Berri Neil, Razia Quashie, Ellie Rattu, Paige Reed, Alicia Scholes, Jess Shaw, Liv Tchine, Emma Thacker, Francesca Williams.
Vitality Netball Nations Cup fixtures – dwell on Sky Sports activities
All occasions are GMT
Saturday February 1 – Motorpoint Area, Nottingham
South Africa vs Uganda (3pm)
England vs Malawi (5pm)
Sunday February 2
Malawi vs Uganda (2pm)
England vs South Africa (4pm)
Saturday February 8 – Copper Field Area, London
Malawi vs South Africa (3pm)
England vs Uganda (5pm)
Sunday February 9
Third-place play-off (1.30pm)
Remaining (4pm)
Who will win the Vitality Netball Nations Cup? Watch dwell this February dwell on Sky Sports activities. Not bought Sky? Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW.
