Well that’ll do for now. Keep an eye out for Sarah’s report which should be dropping any moment now. What a way to see off Sarah Hunter’s career and what a way to (somewhat) banish the demons from Auckland as England’s winning machine gets back to winning ways.
That was fun, as a spectacle at least if not a contest.
It’s been a pleasure. Til next time.
At last, Sarah Hunter:
I’m overwhelmed! It’s just been an incredible week. Our performance, to see the crowd, it’s just been so special. I cant’t think of a better way to end my career.
[She’s now watching the moment she left the field for the lat time]. I didn’t want to milk it [she says through tears]. I just wanted to thank the fans. I just wanted to bottle it. To savour the moment that I’d never get again.
I feel really proud. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way [she’s talking about starting as an amateur]. I have such an appreciation for what we’ve been through. The girls left today will take it on to the next level. I’m proud to have played a small part in that. It was our responsibility to take that baton on.
[What’s next?] Who knows!? I’m going to go back to Loughborough and get stuck into coaching. I’ll just take it as it comes. I’m not stressed by what comes next. I’ll just enjoy the occasion.
Here’s Scotland’s skipper, Rachel McLachlan:
I don’t think words can do [Sarah Hunter] justice. What she’s done for sport, not just women’s sport. She’s been so monumental to my career and development. We’ve become good friends. She went out in style.
Today was never going to be the game that we turned that defeat around. We went in with belief but we’re not there yet. They’re still one of the best teams in the world. There were promising signs. We built as the game went on. We were more direct. We’re creating the opportunities. We have to take confidence from that. It’s a massive week and challenge and we’re looking forward to it.
Emily Scarratt, wearing a moon boot with cruches, on comms duties with the Beeb, is singling out Kabeya for special praise. The 21-year-old was outstanding today. In an evolving back row, she could be a feature for a decade or more.
Here’s player of the match, Marlie Packer:
It’s a whole new group of girls. We took things back to basics. Massive shout out to Sarah Hunter. But form me, to the girls, super proud. It’s really exciting times for women’s rugby. I’m privilege to be a part of it.
We wanted to attack, we wanted to change the tempo. That is credit to Holly Aitchison and the way the girls wanted to play. We problem solved on the pitch. That is what you want from a team. We’re growing game by game.
I’m going to miss [Sarah Hunter] massively. She’s been there throughout my rugby journey. I just hope that this week she’s really enjoyed it because what a career she’s had.
Full-Time: England 58-7 Scotland
That is that. Scotland’s attack fizzles out and the final whistle sounds. Ten tries in all, three to Marlie Packer who is rightly named player of the match before she takes over the captaincy duties. Scotland rallied, but only in the last five minutes. Before that it was one way traffic as this new chapter of the Red Roses narrative begins with a thumping win.
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79 min: Scotland have it back and how did they not score there? Liz Musgrove picks the ball up right above her toes from a long range pass to her right wing and almost, almost, gets over the line. The ball is recycled and it’s held up over the line. England drop kick and Rollie comes right back at them. What a finish this is from Scotland.
78 min: Scotland doing all the running. They’re charging all over the place. Every run has a support line and then the world splits open wehn Rollie finds the ball and looks up to see a couple of front rowers in front of her. She weaves left and right and left again and she’s now just five metres from the line. Sing hauls her down and then gets back on her feet to get over the ball and win a penalty under her own poles. Brilliant rugby from both teams there.
TRY! England 58-7 Scotland (Rollie, 75)
At long last, a bit of quality from Scotland and they’re on the board. Nelson controlling the tempo, as she’s done all game with almost no ball, comes flat to the line and finds Rollie who has stepped up from fullback and can step off her right foot to glide round Wyrwas. Nelson then adds the additional two.
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74 min: Oh wow! Scotland break up field. Debutant Beth Blacklock runs a short line and splits the England defence and suddenly she has space in front of her. Donaldson on the support line has England scrambling and the hosts concede a penalty in their desperation. Scotland kick to the corner and have a chance inside England’s 22.
73 min: England have a penalty that they take quickly. Clifford carries with power. Heard, who has impressed since coming on, shows great strength and clever feet to move it up field. England getting closer.
71 min: Packer picks up at the base of the scrum and canters up field. Sing and then Heard carry well from clever support lines. Sing pops a ball back against the grain for Tuima. Scotland regroup and force Wyrwas to kick. But McGhie knocks on under no pressure. That about sums it up for the visitors this afternoon.
69 min: Scotland have a chance to work an attack down the right but they force it and so knock the ball on. That’s what happens when you’re starved of the ball and lack the precision of other sides. England’s scrum in their own 22.
TRY! England 58-0 Scotland (Packer, 67)
Marlie Packer has scored her third try in a 10 minute blitz. She’s immense. Just immense. It’s a try from a rolling maul, as her other two were, but it’s no less than she deserves. She’s carried 18 times and made over 100 metres. Tuima misses a kick she perhaps should have slotted.
66 min: Scotland’s scrum five metres from their own line all the way in the left corner. They come away with it through Gallagher but England won’t let them settle. Before Scotland can clear England win a penalty on the floor. Aitchison kicks into the corner.
Bad news for England as Poppy Cleall limps off. The worries in the second row continues. No replacements available so they’ll finish with 14.
65 min: Sing on the right wing gets her legs pumping and makes good ground. England are swarming. Kabeya on the left wing runs over a tackler before she’s hauled down. Aitchison dinks a lovely kick for Sing. The winger catches but has to twist as she’s tackled. She manages to offload for Crake and the substitute prop dots down over the line, but there’s a call from the assistant referee. No try. Knock on is the call though they’re still having a look.
TRY! England 53-0 Scotland (Packer, 63)
Packer again, this time more clinical than the last score. It’s a consequence of a brilliant raking kick that found the corner from 40 metres out. From there it’s an accurate throw, a seamless formation of a solid maul and the power to shove the Scottish defenders back. Tuima smacks the post from a very acute angle.
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63 min: England have a penalty and go to the corner. It’s a good kick. They’re five metres out. Wonder what they’ll do?
61 min: Just as it looked like Scotland would build something tangible, they lose it in contact. I know they’re a long way behind England in terms of investment and development, but they have been their own worst enemies today. Just not up to it.
A bunch of changes including Dow for Emma Sing.
60 min: BTW, Hunter was replaced by Catherine O’Donnell. Which may or may not be a pub quiz question one day.
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Sarah Hunter leaves rugby union
The moment we knew was coming. One of the greatest English athletes, in any code, man or woman, bows out after 16 years and 141 Test caps. Just a remarkable figure. She leaves to a standing ovation.
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TRY! England 48-0 Scotland (Packer, 58)
It’s another mauled try but not for Cokayne. Scotland are powerless to prevent this. The maul splinters which is why Marlie Packer finds the ball in her grasp. She just has to hang in there as the rest of the pack carries her beyond the line. Tuima narrowly misses a tough kick.
57 min: England’s defence is unbreakable. They stand up Scotland’s runners and win a penalty on the ground. The ball is hoofed up field and England have a line-out inside Scotland’s 22.
56 min: This time the ball is clean off the back of Scotland’s scrum so Nelson has time to load up a big kick that forces Dow to turn. England kick back and Scotland have the ball on halfway. That at least is a moral victory. What can they do with this platform?
54 min: England have just pushed a scrum up field about 20 metres. They then knock it on when it comes out. Hunter wants to know why it wasn’t a penalty.
51 min: The difference is England’s ability to shrug off tacklers. Scotland’s defence needs work but credit must go to the English ball carriers who are so powerful, so direct and have runnings off either shoulder every time they take the ball to the line.
TRY! England 43-0 Scotland (Kabeya, 50)
What strength from the 21-year-old. Dow’s break through the guts of Scotland’s defence makes the space and she off loads in the tackle. Kabeya still has a load of work to do. She hurdles one tackler and holds off another before brushing off a third to score. She has the aura of a veteran. That is very, very good from the youngster. Tuima clots the conversion. She’s found her range off the tee.
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49 min: Another big push from England forces Scotland to get it out quick fast. Nelson cross kicks – with class, I might add – and Grant is in business. But Dow steps up and catches but has it wrestled off her. Scotland advance but lose it upfield. A little scrappy all of a sudden.
47 min: After an age, the ball is finally delivered but England knock on. So scrum to Scotland. Not sure England will mind that.
45 min: An enormous scrum from England and they win a scrum penalty. How do you stop that? Now they can kick to the half-way line and have a line-out. Monstrous.
44 min: Cleall knocks on a rudimentary restart. So she is human. Scotland have it and send it down the line. Orr shows some good feet to wriggle up field. They have the advantage so Nelson kicks across the field and Grant is just beaten to it by Dow. So they’ll come back for the penalty. Neat from Scotland. They’ll obviously lose this but there’s no reason why they shouldn’t have greater aspirations in this second half.
TRY! England 36-0 Scotland (Cleall, 41)
That is a superb run off the ball from Cleall. She’s not spotted and can collect the ball after a gallop. She busts over the line and England are underway. Scotland were caught napping there, watching Aldcroft instead.
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We’re back underway.
While we wait for the second half to get underway, why not catch up on some other rugby bits from around the G:
Here’s my countryman putting in another world class display for Leicester:
And what about the battle of the England 10s? Looks like Mr Farrell came out on top:
Half-Time: England 31-0 Scotland
England close the half with five tries but it could have been six as the final attack of the first 40 minutes, one that was ignited by a brilliant line from Aitchison who also offloaded in the tackle to spark something special. Packer came close, as did Kabeya. Aitchison flat at the line attempted a cross kick to Breach on the right wing but it’s too high. So the ref’s whistle sounds and Scotland can go lick their wounds. Back soon.
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40 min: Nelson has missed touch from that penalty. I have no idea how she’s managed that. What a let off. So England can go back up field and they’re suddenly in Scotland’s 22 .
39 min: Scotland give England a taste of their own medicine with a strong maul from a line-out 10 metres out. The ball comes out the back and goes down the line to debutant McGhie who would have scored in the corner if the field was 10 metres wider. Instead she has to cut in field and is tackled. England win the ball back though and kick it long so Scotland have to start again. They get another penalty and kick to the corner again. One last chance to register a score.
37 min: With an advantage from the scrum, Nelson kicks to the right. They manage to recycle the ball but England’s defence is immense and eventually pushes Scotland all the way back to the halfway line. Belisle carries with enthusiasm but doesn’t go anywhere. Scotland get a penalty as Aldcroft’s tackle is high, but the Scots have to show a bit more grunt and guile. They’re too stodgy and, to be honest, look frightened.
35 min: Scotland have the feed to a scrum just inside England territory. They’re almost pushed off the ball but manage to get it out in time. Smith straightens but Nelson loses it in contact. Kabeya charges through the middle and Lucy Packer comes within a centimetre of nailing the most sensational 50-22 from about 40 metres away. Instead it’s a Scottish scrum all the way back from where the ball was kicked.
TRY! England 31-0 Scotland (Cokayne, 31)
That England rolling maul, the most formidable weapon in world rugby, does the job yet again. Cokayne throws to the middle and then joins the rumbling mass of humanity. It’s held up once but there’s no stopping it. Cokayne has her second. England have their fifth. Tuima nudges over the conversion. This is getting ugly for the Scots.
30 min: Dow hands off and side steps to wriggle past two defenders on the right win and gallop 20 metres up field. England back in the 22. A few more strong carries. Aldcroft is hauled down three metres from the line. England have a penalty right under the posts. The go to the line-out. Cokayne try incoming.
TRY! England 24-0 Scotland (Heard, 28)
Just relentless from England. Bern busts through the middle. She’s hauled down inside Scotland’s 22. Kabeya has it but has to welcome the contact. England recycle fast and Packer, again, breaks a tackle. Bern has it at close quarters. Hunter this time before Cleall punches a hole. Two metres out and then Heard, on for the injured Reed, dives over when space opens up. That’s her first England try.
Tuima slots the extras.
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TRY! England 17-0 Scotland (Macdonald, 24)
Stunner! Claudia Macdonald has just scored a blockbuster five pointer. It’s an England scrum all the way on the right and it’s out the back and down the line in a flash. Macdonald has it, almost from a standing start. She stands up a defender and rounds her with ease. She then pins her ears back and puts on the after burners as she leaves three Scottish players in her wake. Outstanding.
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21 min: Macdonald knocks on. But again an excellent carry from Aldcroft. She’s also having a barnstorming game. So is Marlie Packer who, in this sort of form, must be the most devastating player in the women’s game.
20 min: Scotland are giving it a go, but they seem to lack the heft or power to disrupt England in the tight channels. So they kick.
TRY! England 12-0 Scotland (Cokayne, 18)
Water is wet. Amy Cokayne scores tries. This needed some finishing in the corner after England’s ball carriers bulldozed Scotland’s tacklers for the better part of two minutes. It began with a line-out that was worked to Packer at the back who brought it up field. The ball went left and then right again. Aitchison receives the ball so flat at the line so she has options in the form of willing runners. There’s an overlap on the right and Cokayne catches and scores. Simple as.
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16 min: Another big scrum from England but Scotland can get it out. A nothing kick hands the ball back to England who kick it as well. Scotland with the ball right where the scrum took place and it ends up with an England penalty. Bartlett not moving away in time.
14 min: England with the scrum feed with their heels on their own try line. It goes straight out the back and Aithinson boots it long. Rollie brings it back and Nelson has it again, except this time she can’t link up with Orr. Smith cleans up and charges to the line. It keeps moving along before Breach plucks an intercept. The ball is knocked on around the half way line so Scotland have it back.
13 min: A sweet move off the back of the scrum sees the ball fizz to Nelson who is flat at the line and then picks out a beautiful pass for Orr on a scything run against the grain. She gives it back to Nelson who comes close. The ball is recycled and then Orr has a dart for the line. She reaches but not far enough. The ball is grounded but it’s just short. Great play from the Scots.
12 min: Dow has made a mess of a routine catch inside her own 22, somehow knocking it on. That was sloppy. A big chance for Scotland to hit back straight away.
TRY! England 7-0 Scotland (Macdonald 9)
Just relentless stuff from England. It stared with Packer’s break and was carried forward by Cleall’s canter through the middle. Macdonald on Reed’s outside shoulder gets the ball at just the right moment and can shrug off the defender on the line to burst over and dot down. Reed steps up from inside centre to slot the conversion.
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9 min: Marlie Packer, just so powerful. It’s her carry that takes it deep in Scotland's territory. Cleall is close. One metre short.
8 min: Scotland look alright with ball in hand. Nelson delays a pass and finds a runner. Bern gives away a penalty for going off her feet so Nelson can boot it upfield for a line-out. But Cleall wins it and England counter with Marlie Packer charging with her fourth carry already. Scotland lose their head and give away a penalty. Gallagher perhaps unlucky, that ball looked out at the back of the ruck.
6 min: Scotland have some possession but can’t break through the white wall so Nelson kicks into England’s 22. Handy tap, that.
5 min: Marlie Packer again with a big carry, steamrolling the tackler. But a few phases later Scotland nick a penalty on the ground. Cleall holding on with Belisle stealing it.
3 min: The line-out from the penalty goes to the middle where Kabeya brings it down. The ball moves in field. Aitchison and Tuima with some neat passes. They inch their way forward, but mostly move laterally so the fly-half kicks. They get it back after a poor Scotland kick and Marlie Packer makes some metres. Dow does well to hold up a tackle before Breach makes more ground down the right wing.
1 min: Scotland kick off and England fumble the ball immediately. Not the greatest start. The visitors have a scrum just outside the 22 but England’s pack absolutely monster the set piece and win a penalty. Debutant Carson with a mighty second shove.
England respond with God Save the King. Just a few tears in Hunter’s eyes. Almost time now.
Right then, Flower of Scotland rings out across what looks like a very chilly Kingston Park.
I know I keep going on about Sarah Hunter, but she really is the star of the show today. She leads her team out and is wearing a smile that’s almost touching her ears. No quiet stoicism for this England legend. She is loving every minute of it.
Sarah Hunter is on my screen speaking on a truly exceptional segment from the BBC. Her dad welled up as he recounted some anecdotes. Her mum was there, just beaming with pride. Same with her high school headmaster and her youth club coach. What a player. What a person.
There’s been a lot of focus on the English back row, with Maggie Alphonsi saying it feels like a “changing of the guard”.
Much of that has to do with Sadia Kabeya, who chatted with Emma John in this cracking interview:
Now Simon Middleton, as he begins his final Six Nations campaign:
I’m good about it. I’m really happy with my decision and really excited to play another Six nations. We’ve got a lot of new faces. We’ve had a great three weeks coaching them and we’ll see how we go.
We worked on a few things. We just want to see the girls go out there and make a statement for themselves. I think to see them enjoy themselves and do themselves justice will be important.
[On Hunter]: It couldn’t be better for her. She’s going through the same routine she’s gone through 140 times. She’s given everything she’s had to the game and been the very best version of herself. It couldn’t be a better stage for her today.
Just a reminder that Scotland have lost nine in a row and picked up the wooden spoon last year. Not to worry, their coach Bryan Easson says they’re “building”. He certainly cut a calm figure speaking to the BBC just now.
It’s easy to get overly schmaltzy when it comes to ‘rugby values’, but these are genuinely heartwarming images:
𝐖𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬.
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 25, 2023
The friendliest pre-match handshake scenes with @Scotlandteam 🤗#ENGvSCO | #RedRoses pic.twitter.com/EO2f1IzJ2K
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Scotland place faith in youth
Bryan Easson has named a youthful XV, especially in the backline where his centre and wing parings – including debutant Francesca McGhie - have 11 caps between them. They’re now steered by a new attack coach, Chris Laidlaw, who has been brought in to inject some life into an underperforming outfit.
Scotland: Rollie; Grant, Orr, Smith, McGhie; Nelson, Mattinson; Bartlett, Skeldon, Belisle, O’Donnell, McMillan, Malcolm (c), McLachlan, Gallager.
Replacements: Rettie, Young, Clarke, Donaldson, Sinclair, McDonald, Blacklock, Musgrove.
A reminder of your Scotland team for today’s game 👊#AsOne pic.twitter.com/KN43MrLsuw
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) March 25, 2023
England team in Sarah Hunter's final game
For the last time ever, Sarah Hunter’s name is on a Red Roses team sheet.
Sadia Kabeya, one of the most exciting loose forwards around, starts behind a formidable tight five. Claudia Macdonald moves back to the wing.
England: Dow; Breach, Tuima, Reed, Macdonald; Aitchison, L Packer; Carson, Cokayne, Bern, Aldcroft, Cleall, Kabeya, M Packer, Hunter (c)
Replacements: Davies, Crake, Clifford, O’Donnell, Beckett, Wyrwas, Heard, Sing.
𝐀 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞-𝐮𝐩 🌹@O2 | #WearTheRose | #ENGvSCO
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 25, 2023
Speaking of Sarah, here’s a brilliant team-by-team guide to help set the scene for today:
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Spare a thought for our reporter on the ground. Sarah, if you’re reading this, let us know if you’ve made it there on time.
About to catch my (very delayed) flight to Newcastle for England v Scotland! Wish me luck in getting to the stadium in time 🤞🏻 #ENGvSCO
— Sarah Rendell (@rendellx) March 25, 2023
When the final whistle sounds later today, and the players shake hands after a hard fought contest, spare a though for Sarah Hunter who will call time on a remarkable career that has spanned 16 years and includes 14o Test caps.
England’s most capped player has said she wants to leave on her “own terms”.
“Not many athletes get to choose how and when they call time on their playing careers,” Hunter said. “I’m very fortunate that I have the opportunity to finish on my own terms. I couldn’t think of a better way to do it than in my home town where my rugby journey started.
“I get to finish in a place that has a special place in my heart in front of my friends, family and Red Roses supporters and I feel very fortunate that I’m able to do that.
“To play there in a white shirt – which is something I’ve been immensely proud of and I feel very honoured to have represented my country so many times – feels like an ending I couldn’t look past and I feel very fortunate that I get to do this.”
Salut, Sarah. We may never see your like again.
Premable
Hello there. It’s good to be back, isn’t it? Now of course another Six Nations tournament has just wrapped up, but if you’re English, and you place any value in winning, then this is the one for you.
That’s not to say any fan of the Red Roses is a glory hunter. If anything the true believers will be needed now more than ever as the once unbeatable side is forced to start again. This is the first page of a new chapter after the heartbreaking loss in the World Cup final last year.
Scotland will be desperate to prove that they’re more than just a side character in this saga. They pushed England last year, especially at the breakdown which will likely be a hotly contested area today, but were eventually routed 55-7.
My name is Daniel. I’m thrilled to be here with you for this one. Do get in touch if you fancy.
Kick off at 16:45 at Kingston Park in Newcastle.
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