MacDonald returns for the Red Roses

By Mark Stevens
19/4/23

Exeter Chiefs star Claudia MacDonald returns to the England Women’s starting line-up for Saturday’s Six Nations Championship clash with Ireland at Musgrave Park, Cork (2.15pm).

The fleet-footed winger was forced to miss the win against Wales last time out with injury, but she returns for this latest clash forming a back three of Abbie Dow and Ellie Kildunne.

Marlie Packer captains the side at open-side flanker, while Sadia Kabeya is blind-side flanker and Alex Matthews at No.8.

Natasha Hunt makes her first appearance of the tournament at scrum-half with Holly Aitchison and Tatyana Heard, who earned the player of the match award against Wales, once again the 10-12 axis. Lagi Tuima continues at outside centre.

Gloucester-Hartpury duo Zoe Aldcroft and Sarah Beckett are the second row combination - and there is also a maiden Six Nations appearance for hooker Connie Powell with Hannah Botterman (loose-head prop) and Maud Muir (tight-head prop) her front-row counterparts.

Ellie Kildunne is at full-back with Abby Dow (right wing) and Claudia MacDonald (left wing) forming the back three.

Loughborough Lightning’s Morwenna Talling and Helena Rowland are set to feature for the first time in this year’s Championship, both are named as finishers. Amber Reed also returns to the match-day squad after suffering an injury in last month’s opener against Scotland at Kingston Park.

Head coach Simon Middleton said: “We were really pleased with the win in Wales in what was a difficult game. Our defence was outstanding. We go into this game knowing there are areas we need to improve on and we are determined to do that.

“We are pleased to welcome Connie Powell back into the team. May Campbell has done really well for us but we feel Connie is right for this game. A number of players are returning and this fixture sees Hannah Botterman and Maud Muir start in the front row which will be their first starts of the tournament and vital playing time following spells on the sidelines.

“We are pleased to welcome Helena Rowland back among our finishers. Helena and our strength and conditioning team have worked tirelessly to get her back and she is a huge asset as we enter the business end of the Six Nations.

“Ireland are experiencing a period of transition at the moment. We know they are a very passionate nation and we will need to be at our best to perform and earn the desired result.”

ENGLAND WOMEN TO FACE IRELAND WOMEN

15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 32 caps)
14. Abby Dow (Harlequins, 33 caps)
13. Lagi Tuima (Harlequins, 15 caps)
12. Tatyana Heard (Gloucester-Hartpury, 12 caps)
11. Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs, 26 caps)
10. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 18 caps)
9. Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 60 caps)
1. Hannah Botterman (Saracens, 35 caps)
2. Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury, 7 caps)
3. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 18 caps)
4. Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester Hartpury, 41 caps)
5. Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 28 caps)
6. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 11 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens, capt, 92 caps)
8. Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 57 caps)

16. Lark Davies (Bristol Bears, 47 caps)
17. Mackenzie Carson (Saracens, 3 caps)
18. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 55 caps)
19. Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
20. Morwenna Talling (Loughborough Lightning, 5 caps)
21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 12 caps)
22. Amber Reed (Bristol Bears, 63 caps)
23. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 22 caps)