England thrash Scotland to set up Grand Slam decider

Women's Six Nations

England (42) 59

Tries: Clifford, Packer, Aldcroft, MacDonald 2, Ward, Davies, Dow 2 Cons: Aitchison 7

Scotland (0) 7

Try: Thomson Con: Nelson

England scored nine tries to hammer Scotland in Leicester and set up a Women's Six Nations Grand Slam decider against France at Allianz Stadium next Saturday.

The victory extends the Red Roses' winning run to 24 games before a home Rugby World Cup that starts in August.

Prop Kelsey Clifford grabbed the first of six first-half tries, with John Mitchell's side in complete control right from the opening whistle.

Flanker Marlie Packer was next to cross, followed by captain Zoe Aldcroft, wing Claudia MacDonald and lock Abbie Ward.

Lark Atkin-Davies's try ensured a 42-0 lead at half-time, a vastly improved margin from last Saturday's win in Ireland, when England led 7-5 at the break.

Player of the match MacDonald raced clear down the wing for her second try early in the second half, before Lisa Thomson finally got Scotland on the board with a try from a rolling maul.

Wing Abby Dow capped off the scoring, in front of a crowd of 15,530, with a brilliant solo try, before a simple finish in the corner.

The Red Roses are chasing a fourth successive Grand Slam and a seventh Six Nations title in a row.

Scotland, who finished fourth in last year's championship, will host Ireland next Saturday, with hopes of adding to their sole victory over Wales this campaign.

England defeated Scotland 46-0 in Edinburgh last year to extend their winning run in the Six Nations over their visitors to 23 games.

Without a win over the Red Roses since 1999 an upset seemed unlikely, especially with Bryan Easson's side coming into the fixture off the back of a disappointing 25-17 home defeat by Italy.

Clifford, who grabbed her first international try in last week's victory over Ireland, was on hand to power over from close range in a dominant opening period for the hosts.

Mitchell made nine changes from the side that won in Cork, one of which was former England captain Packer, who has not featured since the opening-round win over Italy in York.

She was given a chance to respond to impressive performances from Sadia Kabeya in the seven jersey and she did just that, scoring the second try of the match - her 50th for the Red Roses - following a powerful carry from number eight Maddie Feaunati.

Aldcroft replaced Packer as England skipper in January and is the only player to start every game this campaign. The blind-side flanker showed no sign of fatigue as she intercepted Helen Nelson's pass and galloped clear for her side's third try.

MacDonald was another player who had not featured since the opening round and after a bright start, the elusive wing cut through the Scotland defence for a deserved try.

Heading into the fixture, England's average winning margin over Scotland was 46 points in the Six Nations, which looked likely to increase when tries by Ward and Atkin-Davies ended an utterly dominant half of rugby.

MacDonald, who featured in the World Cup final in 2022, missed last year's Women's Six Nations after suffering a second neck injury in February 2024.

Saracens' Jessica Breach nailed down the left wing spot in her absence, but MacDonald went up another gear from her return in York, with her high work-rate and footwork causing Scotland problems throughout the game, and was rewarded with a second try.

Dow then paid a reminder to the class on the opposite wing, as she showed terrific strength and balance to run half the pitch and finish off the try of the game.

France's victory in Italy earlier on Saturday, despite being behind at half-time, meant the slim chance of England winning the title in Leicester evaporated prior to kick-off.

However, even with the game likely to be their toughest assignment this championship, the Red Roses have not lost to Les Bleus since 2018 and will go in as heavy favourites.

England: Kildunne; Dow, Jones, Shekells, MacDonald; Aitchison, L Packer; Clifford, Atkin-Davies, Bern, Galligan, Ward, Aldcroft (capt), M Packer, Feaunati.

Replacements: Campbell, Botterman, Muir, Talling, Matthews, Hunt, Rowland, Scarratt.

Scotland: Rollie; Lloyd, Orr, Thomson, McGhie; Nelson (capt), Mattison; Young, Skeldon, Clarke, Bonar, Boyd, Gallagher, McLachlan, Konkel.

Replacements: Martin, Bartlett, Poolman, Ferrie, Bell, Clarke, Phillips Scott.

Referee: Clara Munarini (Ita)

TMO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)