MacDonald starts against France

By Mark Stevens
13/10/22

Exeter Chiefs back Claudia MacDonald will start again for England Women when they tackle their French counterparts in Saturday’s Pool C Rugby World Cup match at Northland Events Centre, Whangarei.

MacDonald - who will again start on the wing for the Red Roses - capped her first-ever World Cup start by scoring four tries in England’s 84-19 victory over Fiji in their tournament opener at Eden Park last weekend.

Elsewhere, Sarah Hunter captains the side at No.8 and is set to earn her 137th cap and become the joint most-capped England international drawing level with Red Roses prop Rocky Clark.

Flanker Marlie Packer returns to the squad at openside flanker in the only change to the match-day 23 from last weekend.

Head coach Simon Middleton said: “The opening weekend at Eden Park was a special event to be a part of. World Cups are huge occasions and it doesn’t matter how many caps you have or how many games you’ve played nerves can come into play and we saw that a little bit with us last week. I was delighted with the way the team problem-solved and performed after half-time. It showed great character.

“Our aim was always to field a consistent side for our opening two matches. The wider squad are all aware of the situation and what they need to do to earn their place. As a coaching group, we know it’s far easier to play than not play in competitions but that doesn’t diminish anyone’s role, the part they play or the responsibility they hold. Whatever we achieve will be down to the squad not the team. We arrived as a 32 and we stand or fall as a 32.

“France always present a huge challenge and this time it will be no different. They have a new-look coaching set-up since we last played and we look forward to another big test and what I expect to be a close contest.”

ENGLAND WOMEN SQUAD TO FACE FRANCE WOMEN

15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 26 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (University of Worcester Warriors, 55 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 104 caps)
12. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 18 caps)
11. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 21 caps)
10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 41 caps)
9. Leanne Infante (Saracens, 53 caps)
1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 71 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 65 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)
4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 33 caps)
5. Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 57 caps)
6. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 52 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens, 84 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning, capt, 136 caps)

16. Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury, 6 caps)
17. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 31 caps)
18. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 12 caps)
19. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 21 caps)
20. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 58 caps)
21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 6 caps)
22. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 11 caps)
23. Abby Dow (Wasps, 25 caps)