Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Underhill boosts Bath and England
Flanker is back to face Chiefs today and could be recalled by Red Rose
SAM Underhill will make his comeback from a hip problem for Bath Rugby today – raising the prospect of him appearing in the final two rounds of England’s Six Nations campaign.
The Gallagher Premiership clash with Exeter Chiefs will be Underhill’s first outing since sustaining the injury in January, forcing him to miss the championship games against Scotland, Italy and Wales.
Wasps’ Jack Willis took his place in England’s 28-man squad, but himself sustained a serious knee injury against the Azzurri and is ruled out long term. The vacancy created by Willis’ absence has been filled by 19-year-old George Martin, from Leicester, and his spot would be under threat if Jones does opt to recall Underhill, pictured.
Beno Obano also starts for Bath after those who have played few minutes for England during the Six Nations were made available to their clubs. Wales talisman Taulupe Faletau is also back for the Blue, Black & Whites. Zach Mercer, who scored two tries in the victory over Northampton Saints last weekend, completes the back row.
Hooker Tom Dunn and tighthead Henry Thomas are reinstated, while Josh McNally comes back in to lead the side. In the back line, Ruaridh
McConnochie and Will Muir pair up on the wings for the first time since their England Sevens days, joined in the back three by Tom de Glanville.
The centre partnership of Josh Matavesi and Jonathan Joseph is kept, with scrum-half Ben Spencer starting alongside Rhys Priestland.
T de Glanville; R McConnochie, J Joseph, J Matavesi, W Muir; R Priestland, B Spencer; B Obano, T Dunn, H Thomas, J McNally (capt), E Stooke, T Faletau, S Underhill, Z Mercer. Replacements: J Walker, J Bhatti, C Judge, T Ellis, M Reid, W Chudley, T Schoeman, J Cokanasiga.
SUZANNE MULVEY has football coursing through her veins. The 36-year-old developed a love for the game growing up in Edinburgh, and has enjoyed a career playing for the leading clubs in Scotland and proudly representing her country.
A mum to three boys, Suzanne has embarked on an ambitious project to help equip the next generation of talented young footballers with the skills and fitness needed to earn sporting scholarships to top universities in the USA.
Her lifelong passion for the game hasn’t gone unnoticed – and certainly not by her mum, Karen, who nominated her for Coral’s Fan of the Year competition. Having been picked out as this month’s winner by striking legend Alan Shearer, Suzanne is being rewarded with £1,000 worth of football-related prizes that will deliver some fantastic resources for her new venture to help young footballers.
“Football has given me so much in my life. Being able to give something back and help the next generation enjoy the game is something I’m dedicated to,” she explains. “Winning the £1,000 means I can buy muchneeded equipment to help the players improve – particularly at this difficult time.”
As a monthly winner, Suzanne will have the chance to be crowned Coral’s Ultimate Football Fan of the Year at the end of the season – when she could net another £10,000 in football prizes.
Suzanne has dedicated her life to the sport. “I remember always having a ball at my feet from an early age,” she says. “I’ve got an older brother and he doesn’t play football, so I’ve no idea where it came from. It was just in me.
“But there weren’t as many opportunities as there are now, so it was not until I reached 16 before I was in a proper set-up and was able to progress and keep improving.”
STAR PLAYER
Suzanne has enjoyed every kick and tackle of her globetrotting adventure ever since. She has played for leading clubs including Celtic, Rangers and Glasgow
City, and captained Motherwell to promotion in 2018 with a record points haul, for which she was voted the division’s player of the year.
Always seeking new challenges, Suzanne also played a season in Iceland and has earned 37 caps for her country – one highlight of which was playing against the US women’s national team in front of a 15,000-strong crowd in Jacksonville, Florida.
Now captain of Partick
Thistle Women, Suzanne hasn’t let lockdown and a lack of fixtures stunt her ambition. Instead she has seen it as a chance to give back.
Her new venture, Sentinel Sports, helps young athletes to improve their health, fitness and skills as they prepare for a future in football, and assists them in gaining scholarships to study at universities in the USA where they can train like professionals.
“A few girls that I know asked me to help them out, and as soon as I started to do a bit of research I fell in love with the idea,” Suzanne says. “In the 15-21 age group, so many players, both male and female, fall away from the game. This gives them an opportunity to go away and grow as a player and also a person. A lot of them come from backgrounds where they’ve not had great experiences.
“When I scored a goal it was a great feeling – but watching somebody that I’ve helped score a goal is more rewarding now.”
The final word has to go to Mum: “To me she is a fan of all football,” Karen says, “whether it’s playing, training, representing, watching. Anything football – that’s Suzanne. That’s definitely my girl!”
If you’re inspired by Suzanne’s story and know of a football fanatic who deserves the same recognition, Coral wants to hear about them. It could be someone who has shown unstinting devotion to club or country, who has dedicated their life to the game, or who is bringing others into the sport and making them the best they can be.
The Football Fan of the Year will be someone who eats, sleeps and breathes the beautiful game – and can inspire others to go above and beyond for the sheer love of football.
Being able to give something back and help the next generation enjoy the game is something I’m dedicated to