MacDonald starts against Scotland

By Mark Stevens
22/3/23

Exeter Chiefs star Claudia MacDonald has been named in Simon Middleton's starting line-up for England’s TikTok Women’s Six Nations opener against Scotland at Kingston Park (4:45pm).

The summer signing has been in scintillating club form for the table-topping Chiefs, scoring 10 tries in 11 appearances so far this season. She will line-up on the left wing for the Red Roses, who will be lead - for the final time - by  Sarah Hunter, who announced earlier this week she is to retire following the match in her hometown of Newcastle.

Saracens prop Mackenzie Carson has been called up to England’s Six Nations squad after her birth right transfer to represent the Red Roses was confirmed. The 24-year-old qualifies for England through her English mother. Having previously earned three caps for Canada, including one against England during the Autumn Internationals in 2018, Carson has made herself available to play for England under World Rugby’s birth right transfer rules which allows a capped player to switch allegiance to another country they are eligible to play for following a three-year stand-down period. She starts at loose-head prop to earn her first cap alongside Amy Cokayne (hooker) and Sarah Bern (tight-head prop) in the front row.

Elsewhere, Zoe Aldcroft and Poppy Cleall are the lock pairing while Sadia Kabeya and co-captain Marlie Packer start at blind-side flanker and open-side flanker respectively.

Abby Dow (full back), Jess Breach (right wing) and MacDonald (left wing) make up the back three. Holly Aitchison and Amber Reed form the 10-12 axis with Harlequins’ Lucy Packer at scrum-half and Lagi Tuima at outside centre. Liz Crake, Kelsey Clifford and Ella Wyrwas are all in line to earn their first caps after being named among the substitutes.

Meanwhile, lock Rosie Galligan will miss the tournament after sustaining a hamstring injury in training last week and scrum-half Natasha Hunt is unavailable for selection for this fixture due to a calf injury.

Middleton said: “We are all really looking forward to Saturday’s match against Scotland in Newcastle. There has been a brilliant atmosphere in camp and with a mix of new and experienced players, there is a real buzz.

“A number of players are in line to earn their first caps, and this is an excellent and deserved opportunity. This is a very new squad and they have been asked to train hard and learn fast over the last three weeks. This week we’ve really been able to see the cohesion starting to develop and we can’t wait for the team to get out there on Saturday.

“We are all absolutely gutted for Rosie Galligan, she brings so much to the squad and losing her for the tournament is a significant blow. Rosie is not only an outstanding player but has really stepped up in terms of leadership qualities. She brings an incredible amount of positive energy to everything she does and that has a massive positive effect on those around her. She will be missed for sure but like everything with Rosie you know she’ll come back stronger.

“Natasha (Mo) Hunt has also picked up a knock and is ruled out of this game. Mo has brought her club form into England and has trained really well up until this point so it’s hugely disappointing to lose her for this game. We are confident we will see her back later on in the tournament.

“Six Nations fixtures and games against Scotland are always special occasions and we know Bryan (Easson) will have prepared his side well. All of our players and staff can’t wait to get to the North East and play in front of a sell-out crowd where hopefully we can put on a show and get our Six Nations campaign up and running.”

ENGLAND TEAM TO FACE SCOTLAND

15. Abby Dow (Harlequins, 30 caps)
14. Jess Breach (Saracens, 24 caps)
13. Lagi Tuima (Harlequins, 12 caps)
12. Amber Reed (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)
11. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 24 caps)
10. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 15 caps)
9. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 9 caps)
1. Mackenzie Carson (Saracens, uncapped)
2. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 70 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 52 caps)
4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 38 caps)
5. Poppy Cleall (Saracens, 63 caps)
6. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 8 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (CC; Saracens, 89 caps)
8. Sarah Hunter (CC; Loughborough Lightning, 140 caps)

16. Lark Davies (Bristol Bears, 44 caps)
17. Liz Crake (Wasps, uncapped)
18. Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, uncapped)
19. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 24 caps)
20. Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 25 caps)
21. Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, uncapped)
22. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 9 caps)
23. Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 2 caps)