MacDonald to start against Italians

By Mark Stevens
30/3/23

Exeter Chiefs star Claudia MacDonald will once again line-up for Simon Middleton’s England Womens’s side ahead of Sunday’s Six Nations Championship clash with Italy Women at Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton (3pm).

MacDonald scored twice last weekend as the Red Roses kicked off the defence of their Six Nations crown with a comprehensive 58-7 victory over Scotland.

The 27-year-old will line-up on the wing for the hosts, who have made three changes to their starting line-up for the game. In the back division, Tatyana Heard comes into the centre for Reed, while up front their is a first cap at lock for Bristol’s Delaney Burns, who will partner Cath O’Donnell in the England engine room.

Lagi Tuima, sister of Exeter Chiefs men’s forward Rus Tuima, retains her place at outside centre, while Harlequins’ Emily Robinson, sister of Chiefs scrum-half Flo Robinson, could earn her first senior international cap as she takes her place among the replacements.

Elsewhere, Detysha Harper sustained an Achilles tendon injury in training yesterday and will miss the rest of the tournament. Bristol prop Simi Pam has joined the squad today and will travel to Northampton as a non-playing reserve.

Middleton said: “We’re really looking forward to Sunday’s game against Italy in Northampton. We were pleased to get our campaign up and running with a good win against Scotland last weekend which was a fitting send-off for long-time captain Sarah Hunter. Marlie Packer will now take over the role for the rest of the tournament and will want to stamp her own brand of leadership on the team starting against Italy.

“Delaney Burns has impressed us immensely. Her line-out and set piece understanding is strong and she deserves her start. Emily Robinson has been a prominent part of our programme for a good period. Injury meant she has had to bide her time, but she’s been excellent since she’s come in during the Six Nations and we look forward to seeing how she fares.

“Giovanni Raineri and his staff will have their Italy team well prepared for this Six Nations, and that was clearly reflected in last weekend’s strong opening performance, when they lost 22-12 to World Cup semi-finalists France.

“We are naturally gutted to lose Poppy Cleall and Amber Reed to injury but are confident they’ll return before the end of this tournament. Everyone is devastated for Detysha Harper following her injury yesterday. ‘Tysh’ is a top player, has an infectious personality and is a big loss for us. We all wish her a speedy recovery.

“It’s great to have Northampton Saints hosting this fixture, especially as they have done a great deal to develop rugby for women and girls in the area. We had a memorable day at Franklin’s Gardens in the 2021 autumn international against New Zealand and hopefully we can put on a show.”

ENGLAND WOMEN TO PLAY ITALY WOMEN

15. Abby Dow (Harlequins, 31 caps)
14. Jess Breach (Saracens, 25 caps)
13. Lagi Tuima (Harlequins, 13 caps)
12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 10 caps)
11. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps)
10. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 16 caps)
9. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 10 caps)
1. Mackenzie Carson (Saracens, 1 cap)
2. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins, 71 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 53 caps)
4. Cath O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 25 caps)
5. Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, uncapped) 
6. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 9 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens, capt, 90 caps)
8. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 39 caps)

16. Lark Davies (Bristol Bears, 45 caps)
17. Liz Crake (Wasps, 1 cap)
18. Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 1 cap)
19. Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 26 caps)
20. Emily Robinson (Harlequins, uncapped)
21. Ella Wyrwas (Saracens, 1 cap)
22. Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 43 caps)
23. Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 3 caps)