MacDonald helps England to victory

By Mark Stevens
25/3/23

Exeter Chiefs star Claudia MacDonald scored twice as England Women kicked off their Six Nations Championship campaign with a resounding 58-7 victory over Scotland at Newcastle’s Kingston Park.

MacDonald’s brace was part of an impressive display from Simon Middleton’s side, who also added tries through Marlie Packer (3), Amy Cokayne (2), Tatyana Heard, Poppy Cleall and Sadia Kabeya.

The day, however, was all about co-captain Sarah Hunter, who brought the curtain down on her illustrious career. Hunter led the side out on her 141st and final appearance and it took less than nine minutes for England to cross for their first points of the Championship as winger MacDonald finished off a neat pass inside from Amber Reed, who then converted the score.

Scotland responded positively to going behind and were close to a try of their own when Emma Orr dived for the line but was inches short. The hosts, though, were more clinical at the other end and after Packer had been tackled a couple of metres out, the ball was worked swiftly through the hands for Cokayne to go over in the corner.

MacDonald then doubled her personal tally with a stunning solo effort from inside her own half and the bonus point was secured when Heard, on as an early replacement for Reed, dotted down on 27 minutes.

England’s traditionally strong rolling maul was responsible for the fifth try, Cokayne applying the finishing touch, as the Red Roses took a 31-0 lead into the break following a first half which saw them make 490 metres from 108 carries, with 36 defenders beaten.

The second period began as the first had ended, with England on the front foot, and Cleall quickly made the pressure count by powering over.

Kabeya added try number seven on 49 minutes following an incisive break by Abby Dow and the power of England’s pack carried Packer over for her first.

The hour mark saw the 10,053 spectators inside Kingston Park rise to give Hunter a standing ovation as she departed the scene shortly after two players at the opposite ends of their Red Roses journey, Liz Crake and Kelsey Clifford, had been brought on for their debuts.

There was no let-up in the home side’s intensity and Packer completed her treble with two quickfire tries from driving mauls.

Chloe Rollie’s late score got Scotland on the scoreboard and she came close to adding another after a fine individual run but good work at the breakdown earned England a penalty as Simon Middleton’s side closed out a convincing win.