macdonald at the double for the red roses

Exeter Chiefs star Claudia MacDonald scored twice as England Women kicked off their Six Nations Championship with a resounding 58-7 win over Scotland at Newcastle’s Kingston Park.

MacDonald’s brace was part of an impressive display from Simon Middleton’s side, who also added tries through Marlie Packer (3), Amy Cokayne (2), Tatyana Heard, Poppy Cleall and Sadia Kabeya.

The day, however, was all about co-captain Sarah Hunter, who brought the curtain down on her illustrious career. Hunter led the side out on her 141st and final appearance. Elsewhere in the competition, Ireland captain

Nichola Fryday said lessons would be learnt in the wake of her side’s comprehensive 31-5 loss to Wales in Cardiff.

The Exeter Chiefs lock grabbed her side’s only points of the game as Wales - who included Exeter’s Abbie Fleming in their starting lineup - ran in tries through Alex Callender, Keira Bevan, Sioned Harries and skipper Hannah Jones.

In a friendly in Madrid, a late try from Chiefs prop Hope Rogers helped the USA Eagles to victory over Spain. Rogers scored twice with Eti Haungatau also touching down for the visitors, whose other points came from the boot of Gabby Cantorna.