MacDonald helps England to victory

By Mark Stevens
22/4/23

England stayed on course for a Grand Slam with a dominant eight-try Women's Six Nations victory over Ireland in Cork.

Simon Middleton’s side - which included Exeter Chiefs winger Claudia MacDonald - scored 27 points in the first half iwith tries from Sarah Beckett, Tatyana Heard, Ellie Kildunne, Marlie Packer and Morwenna Talling.

Amber Reed and two from Alex Matthews were the only tries after the break.

Ireland, meanwhile, who included the Chiefs duo of Nichola Fryday and Clara Nielson in their match-day squad, remain bottom of the standings after their fourth loss.

Middleton’s side are waiting to discover whether they will be without captain Packer for their potential Grand Slam decider with France next Saturday.

The flanker, 33, had to be helped off with a leg injury during the first half, while prop Hannah Botterman, 23, had already limped off with an injury and will also be assessed before their final Women's Six Nations game.

"Both players picked up injuries quite early in the game, and we got them off, but we were lucky in that we were in a good position at that point," said Middleton. "The medics made a great decision to get them off the field as soon as possible so they could start looking at them, not taking risks and making it worse. We just have to assess them and see where they are at."

Victory over France, in what will be Middleton's last game in charge, would give the Red Roses their fifth successive Six Nations title.

Leading by 27-0 at half-time, England struggled in the second half in Cork until they scored three tries in the closing minutes.

"Ireland were tenacious, they got in our faces and tried to break the game up," Middleton added. "They marked our edges really well and didn't give our wingers easy ball to carry or strike. But I was really pleased with how we finished the game. We were thrown off our plan but we got back on track at the end.

"We know what we need to be working on before next week, and it won't be much different from the stuff we've been doing for the last six weeks."