Jess Thirlby has warned her England players that they are the team everyone wants to beat in the Netball Nations Cup, live on Sky Sports, and they ‘must work super hard’ to secure the trophy.
England kickstart their Nations Cup campaign against the world No 7 team Malawi on Saturday February 1, live on Sky Sports, while the tournament also includes South Africa and Uganda.
The Vitality Roses impressed last year, defeating world No 1 Australia for just the third time in September, but – with each side closely positioned in the world rankings – winning the Nations Cup will not be an easy feat.
England head coach Thirlby has highlighted the obstacles her team will face, including being without injured key players 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,” said Thirlby, who has called up Emma Thacker from England A to replace Pearson. “We will have to work super hard to get it over the line.
“At the moment it’s so important we stay, however cliched, on the process and helping prepare the team for three very different challenges in quick succession.
“We’re looking for consistency and this gives us a good opportunity to consolidate the difference between being ranked in that top four and below.
“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 hard in Australia, eventually suffering a 2-1 series defeat following a decisive 69-56 loss, with Thirlby taking plenty of positives from her team’s performances against the world’s elite team.
“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 are starting to understand it’s possible, it’s been done, I want a part of that.”
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Highlights from the final Test between New Zealand and Vitality Roses, where the Roses lost but still won the Test series 2-1
Who is playing for England in the Vitality Netball Nations Cup?
Cardwell (due to return from injury), Metcalf (due to pregnancy) and Housby (due to club commitments) were unavailable for selection. Thacker was elevated from the England A side on January 24, following an injury to Lois Pearson.
Helen Housby will not feature for England in the Vitality Netball Nations Cup
England’s squad (correct 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 – live on Sky Sports
All times are GMT
Saturday February 1 – Motorpoint Arena, 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 Box Arena, London
Malawi vs South Africa (3pm)
England vs Uganda (5pm)
Sunday February 9
Third-place play-off (1.30pm)
Final (4pm)
Who will win the Vitality Netball Nations Cup? Watch live this February live on Sky Sports. Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.
