MacDonald gets nod for Grand Slam decider

By Mark Stevens
26/4/23

Exeter Chiefs star Claudia MacDonald will start for England Women's in Saturday's crucial TikTok Women’s Six Nations match against France at Twickenham Stadium (1pm).

MacDonald lines-up in an England side which shows four changes to that which defeated Ireland 48-0 last time out.

Helena Rowland makes her first start of the 2023 tournament at outside centre; Lark Davies and Sarah Bern both return to the front-row, while Lucy Packer gets the nod at scrum-half.

Captain Marlie Packer is fit for the Grand Slam decider as is prop Hannah Botterman, both of whom were injury concerns after last weekend's win in Cork.

Over 53,000 tickets have already been sold for this fixture and you can secure your seat here.

Middleton said: “We’re really excited and looking forward to Saturday’s match against France in what will be another landmark moment in the women’s game.

“We’ve had some entertaining and tight battles with France over a long period of time and this one will be no different. Both teams have had strong Six Nations campaigns off the back of presenting different game plans from what we have seen before.

“France will also be relishing the challenge and David Ortiz, Gaëlle Mignot and their team will have prepared their players well. I think it’s only fitting at this point to also recognise and pay tribute to Jessy Trémoulière, one of the greats of the game, as she calls time on her international playing career. She will be missed, for sure.

“Notwithstanding, the players we knew at the start to be unavailable for the tournament, this is the first week in the competition we can say we have a near-full squad to select from. Credit must go to our medical and strength and conditioning teams who have worked tirelessly with our players to ensure their availability.

“At the same time, the return of some of our more established players means that others will inevitably miss out. Whilst I know they will be bitterly disappointed in missing the game, they should take immense pride in their performances throughout the Six Nations in terms of both playing and helping to prepare the side. Once again, this has been a tremendous squad effort and typifies everything good about the Red Roses.

“Playing in front of a record crowd is a huge marker of where the game is at. It’s huge testament to the hard work of many people at the RFU and it bodes extremely well building up to the 2025 World Cup.”

ENGLAND TEAM TO PLAY FRANCE

15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 33 caps)
14. Abby Dow (Harlequins, 34 caps)
13. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 23 caps)
12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 13 caps)
11. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 27 caps)
10. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 19 caps)
9. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 13 caps)
1. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 36 caps)
2. Lark Davies (Bristol Bears, 48 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 56 caps)
4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester Hartpury, 42 caps)
5. Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 29 caps)
6. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 12 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens, capt, 93 caps)
8. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 58 caps)

16. Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury, 8 caps)
17. Mackenzie Carson (Saracens, 4 caps)
18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 19 caps)
19. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 64 caps)
20. Morwenna Talling (Loughborough Lightning, 6 caps)
21. Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 61 caps)
22. Amber Reed (Bristol Bears, 64 caps)
23. Jess Breach (Saracens, 27 caps)