England felled Scotland in devastating fashion to set up a grand slam decider against France in the Women’s Six Nations where the Red Roses will bid for their seventh successive title.
John Mitchell’s side played some of their best rugby this tournament in the first half by scoring six tries with no reply. The rampant display set up the possibility of a record score against Scotland, which stands at an 89-0 thrashing in the 2011 Six Nations, but they could not produce the same rapid fire scoring in the second half to write a new page in the history books. They did, however, seal the team’s 33rd consecutive win in the tournament with a 59-7 victory.
The Red Roses were heavy favourites heading into the match as Scotland have never beaten England in the tournament, with their last win across all competitions against their rivals coming in 1999.
For this fixture, Mitchell made nine changes and among them was the former captain Marlie Packer. Before the Six Nations began, Packer was stripped of the captaincy because of the depth of options in her position of openside flanker. Mitchell wanted the flexibility to start other players ahead of Packer and so gave the title to one of the first names on the team sheet every game in Zoe Aldcroft. The change has seen Packer, who is now vice-captain, in and out of the team this tournament.
Packer started England’s gameagainst Italy in round onebut was dropped out of the match-day 23 for the Wales and Ireland fixtures. The Saracens player was once again named as a starter for Saturday’s game and it could be said she had something to prove with players such as Sadia Kabeya and Abi Burton the competition for her shirt. Packer put in a solid performance and scored her 50th try for her country on her 110th appearance. But she may not have done enough to retain the shirt for the grand slam decider next weekend.
The fixture was also the first time Holly Aitchison had played at fly-half all tournament with Helena Rowland and Zoe Harrison given the nod in the opening three games. Aitchison proved her worth in the 10 shirt with a hugely-improved kicking game, successfully kicking seven of nine conversions. The wing Claudia MacDonald also had a brilliant game, crossing for two tries and proving a menace for the Scottish defence.
Rain lashed down as the game got under way with a huge scrum where the Red Roses decimated Scotland’s set piece.
The 15,530 strong crowd were loud and dominated by England supporters – during the national anthems the Scottish players’ voices could be heard from the stands. The Red Roses fans made their presence known during an early break from Abby Dow and then reached another level when Kelsey Clifford crashed over for the opening try. With the score, the sun came out and it brought a positive spell for Scotland but it was the hosts who were next to score.
Packer went over for a try which moved her one ahead of Rory Underwood, the top try-scorer for England’s men’s team. Packer is the fourth top try-scorer for England’s men and women’s teams with only Emily Scarratt (54), Nicky Crawford (57) and Sue Day (61) above her.
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Aldcroft displayed skill as she intercepted a Scotland pass to score England’s third try. The bonus-point came in the 27th minute as MacDonald scored and the second row Abbie Ward and the hooker Lark Atkin-Davies added one each to extend the half-time score to 42-0.
Scotland’s bench had 67 caps between them compared to 419 caps belonging to the England substitutes. But before they were deployed England stretched their lead further. MacDonald finished off a lovely team try – something that is becoming a signature move from this side – and Scotland grabbed a consolation score through Lisa Thomson. The game’s pace slowed considerably in the final stages but England had the last say with two brilliant tries from Dow.
If England lift the trophy next weekend they will equal their own record for the longest streak of winning the Six Nations. The last time England won seven Six Nations trophies in a row was from 2006 and 2012. France will be their hardest opposition of the tournament but this team is seemingly unstoppable.