This season of international rugby continues, as the 2023 Women’s Six Nations commences this weekend. England are the reigning champions and current holders of the Grand Slam, after defeating France in last year’s deciding fixture.
Red Roses Captain Sarah Hunter will retire after England’s opening match against Scotland, as the 37-year-old sees it fitting to hang up her boots in her home city of Newcastle. Hunter is England most-capped player of all time, having made a monumental 140 appearances.
Hunter made her England debut in 2007, and has enjoyed a decorated career. Hunter enjoyed 2014 Rugby World Cup glory, and has won 10 Six Nations titles, including nine Grand Slams.
England are looking to win an incredible fifth consecutive Women’s Six Nations title in a row, and add to their dominance of the competition. England’s record for consecutive Women’s Six Nations titles is seven in a row, as the Red Roses retained their championship every year, from 2006 to 2012.
For the second consecutive year, the Women’s Six Nations matches will be played in their own six-week long window, and commence a weekend after the men’s competition finishes. This gives the growing women’s game complete focussed attention, and is a positive move forward.
The action kicks-off this weekend with Wales and Ireland raising the curtain on the competition at Cardiff Arms Park, before England begin their campaign against Scotland. Here is Ruck’s preview for England’s opening match of the 2023 TikTok Women’s Six Nations.
England vs Scotland: Saturday 25th March – 16:45 Kick Off
Sarah Hunter’s swansong sees the Red Roses travel to the North East, as they take on Scotland at Newcastle Falcons’ Kingston Park. Scotland make the trip across the border for the battle on Tyneside, and will be prepared for the mighty threat that England bring.
England are certainly the favourites heading into the match, after their one-sided landslide victory over Scotland last time out. A 57-5 victory saw England dismantle Scotland, in a win which took their consecutive winning tally to 19 in a row last year. A Marlie Packer brace, along with first half tries from Poppy Cleall, Heather Cowell, Abby Dow and Leanne Infante established a dominant lead at the break.
The Red Roses followed this up with Hollie Aitchison and Connie Powell’s tries, before Packer secured her hat-trick in an emphatic statement on last year’s opening day. A consolation try from Scotland’s Chloe Rollie was a footnote on a perfect day for England.
Scotland will look for redemption this time around, as England make the journey with star players absent and uncapped newcomers in the squad. Emily Scarratt will miss out on the competition due to injury, as the 2019 World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year is out with neck and ankle problems. Fly half duo of Zoe Harrison and Helena Rowland are both ruled out with injuries, which opens up a gap for Saracens’ Holly Aitchison to lead the line.
Bristol Bears star Abbie Ward is unavailable due to pregnancy. Exeter Chiefs’ exciting centre Nancy McGillivray hopes to make her England debut. McGillivray has been shining for the Chiefs, as they currently lead the Allianz Premier 15s. The 20-year-old also recently experienced scoring at Twickenham Stadium, marking an off-the-bench appearance with a first-touch try in Harlequins’ Big Game 14.
Saracens Hooker May Campbell is also looking for her first run out for the Red Roses. Saracens Women chase the league leaders, with Campbell’s consistency in the front row a solid foundation for their current third placed spot in the table. The 2023 Women’s Six Nations is expected to be the last competition for Head Coach Simon Middleton, with everyone involved in the squad aiming to give the 57-year-old the perfect send off with the Grand Slam.