McLean making the most of now

(England captain Katy McLean pictured left with the other 6 Nations captain: Image thanks to Getty)

By Ali Donnelly

It was hardly a surprise when Katy McLean was recently named the captain of the England womens rugby team.

The 25-year old, based in Sunderland, was Englands vice-captain last year and skippered the side on the occasion where Catherine Spencer wasnt on the park.

The fly-half, who already has 205 points to her name in an England shirt, was always likely to be Spencers natural successor having climbed the ranks impressively for her country in recent years.

Its no exaggeration to say that McLean is the best number 10 in the world going into the new season. New Zealands Anna Richards did the business at the World Cup, but with her far superior kicking ability, McLean is the fly-half who can dominate the game in that position on the road to the next World Cup.

Thankfully her success shows no sign of going to her head. She appears genuinely thrilled to be leading her side into the 6 Nations and another four-year cycle.

I am excited alright but its a bit frightening too!, she jokes.

When I was vice-captain I had a say and some extra responsibilities but I was able to hide behind Spence too! Seriously though I am honoured and am really looking forward to it.

McLean says one of the exciting prospects this year is seeing some of Englands young talent coming through either at the 6 Nations, Europeans or Nations Cup.

The team to play Wales is certainly experienced but there are a lot of young girls in the wider 44 player squad we have some girls in their late teens. Its interesting for me, having always been one of the young-ones, Im suddenly experienced and one of the leaders so it is a bit of a change of mind-set but great to see them coming through. Its a fresh start for all of us and hopefully well see some new caps in the next few months.

She doesnt buy into the idea that England are streets ahead this season of the teams they will face in the coming weeks. Her team is far less affected by squad changes than the other sides and there is the small matter of her leading a squad who are looking for a sixth consecutive title.

I dont think its going to be easy two years ago Wales beat us in Wales and thats going to be a tough place to go, and last year we just about came through against France by just a point, so the 6 Nations for us is a very tough competition. We are not complacent. Sure we would love to play teams like New Zealand and Australia more often but the 6 Nations is our major competition and we love playing in it.

Of the World Cup final, she has little hesitation in offering an honest assessment.

! I think looking back they really just simply played better than us. They beat us at the breakdown and were more ruthless. I would be lying if I said it wasnt devastating if I think about it too much now I would l get upset but its time to move on and look forward. From a playing point of view though I can take a lot of positives from it. I learned so much from the experience and from playing in that match. I hope that will stand to me.

While the recent World Cup was unquestionably the best yet the one clear area of weakness on the field in the womens game was the kicking. McLean is rightly regarded as the best kicker in the game with an excellent all round tactical boot combined with accurate goal-kicking, but her ability is not widespread in the game.

An IRB report following the World Cup was damning in its verdict saying that the differences in the standard of kicking in the men's and women's game weresubstantial

With stats showing that the success rate of penalty kicks at the womens World Cup were just 47%, McLean agrees its an area that needs improving.

I think if you look at the teams and players who kick well a lot of them have footballing backgrounds. Kicking in rugby isnt just something you can come in and pick up and be consistently good at and it is difficult to get good at it unless you practice a lot. The younger girls are starting to play the better the kicking is going to get.

"I would like to think that at the next World Cup well see much better quality kicking right across the teams and it could be a big factor in the development of the game. Teams need to find two or three kickers and that will make a big change.

For now the focus for the primary school teacher is leading England's charge in the upcomong 6 Nations and with her ability as a leader on and off the pitch, the odds for success are firmly stacked in her favour.