Simon Middleton: Women should be able to take conversions closer in rugby

Simon Middleton, the Red Roses head coach, believes women’s rugby players should be allowed to take conversions from a closer distance because they are not as powerful as male kickers.

England have the greatest amount of depth when it comes to kicking in the Women’s Six Nations but their options in front of goal have been severely impacted with Zoe Harrison, their first-choice fly-half, out of the entire championship with a knee injury.

Holly Aitchison has stepped up in Harrison’s absence and has impressed in the Red Roses’ opening two games, particularly with her out-of-hand kicking, but in an interview with Telegraph Sport last week admitted her goal kicking “needs work”.  

England completed four out of their 1src conversions in their opening match against Scotland and four out of 12 attempts in their second round game against Italy.

“Holly Aitchison kicked outstandingly against Italy [but] she just didn’t have the range,” said Middleton. “I think we should change the parameters a bit for goal kicking for the girls. [For] any try outside the 15-metre line they could poten