NEWCASTLE: England captain Sarah Hunter bowed out of rugby feeling “beaten” because the reigning girls’s Six Countries champions started their name protection with a 58-7 thrashing of Scotland on her Newcastle house flooring. England ran in 10 tries towards an outclassed Scotland, with flanker Marlie Packer, co-skipper for the day, scoring a second-half hat-trick. Saturday’s event introduced down the curtain on a outstanding occupation that noticed the retiring Hunter, 37, make 141 Check appearances because the No 8 was the most-capped participant in girls’s world rugby union.
Hunter, who made her Check debut in 2007, used to be a member of the Purple Roses’ 2014 International Cup-winning squad and led her crew to finals in 2017 and 2022, with ultimate yr’s defeat by means of event hosts New Zealand finishing England’s 30-match unbeaten run. “I’m beaten,” Hunter advised the BBC. “It’s been such an unbelievable week after which to have the efficiency we did and to look the group, it’s so, so particular. “I will be able to’t suppose of a higher solution to finish my occupation.”
Packer added: “I’m going to pass over Sarah hugely. She’s been with me on my entire rugby adventure.” Scotland captain Rachel Malcolm paid tribute by means of pronouncing: “Sarah Hunter is an unbelievable particular person and chief…I’m very unhappy to not have the risk to play along once more her.” Saturday’s fixture used to be England’s first sport since their agonizing International Cup ultimate loss and so they have been infrequently bothered by means of a Scotland aspect, who not like their hosts, have handiest not too long ago began to change into a qualified outfit.
A rampant England led 31-0 at half-time, having run in 5 tries, with left wing Claudia MacDonald and hooker Amy Cokayne each scoring two times, with Tatyana Heard grabbing her first Check check out. England, criticized for being overly reliant at the riding maul on the International Cup, made just right use in their backs on Saturday, but in addition noticed skilled lock Poppy Cleall energy over for a check out early in the second one half of. The only-way visitors persisted with Sadia Kabeya scoring a check out earlier than fellow back-row Packer’s quickfire treble.
‘Bottle that second’
Hunter left the sector to a status ovation from a crowd of over 10,000 simply earlier than the hour mark. “I didn’t wish to milk it however I sought after to thank the lovers for coming and supporting me,” she added. “I sought after to bottle that second and take all of it in as a result of I’ll by no means get that second once more.” With England down to fourteen avid gamers, having used all their replacements, Scotland full-back Chloe Rollie controlled a comfort check out six mins from time.
Previous, Wales beaten Eire 31-5 at Cardiff Fingers Park, with the host scoring 4 tries in simply 33 mins to protected an advantage level as Alex Callender, Keira Bevan, alternative Sioned Harries and captain Hannah Jones all crossed the Irish line. Wales added a 5th check out when prop Sisilia Tuipulotu powered over within the forty sixth minute earlier than Eire captain Nichola Fryday crossed quarter-hour from time. “I’m extremely joyful for the avid gamers, they installed such a lot laborious paintings,” stated Wales trainer Ioan Cunningham. – AFP