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England winger Claudia MacDonald has been ruled out of this year’s Women’s Six Nations after suffering a neck injury.
The Exeter Chief, who has scored 16 tries in 32 appearances for the Red Roses, has become one of England’s most dangerous wingers in recent years, having started her international career as a hybrid scrum-half.
How to watch the 2024 Women’s Six Nations on TV
Fixtures this year will continue to be shown on the BBC, which is the rights holder for the Women’s Six Nations. Every match of the tournament will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport online, with the vast majority also on BBC television.
2024 Women’s Six Nations fixtures
Round One
Sat, March 23
France v Ireland (2.15pm, Stade Marie-Marvingt)
Sat, March 23
Wales v Scotland (4.45pm, Cardiff Arms Park)
Sun, March 24
Italy v England (3pm, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi)
Round Two
Sat, March 30
Scotland v France (2.15pm, Hive Stadium)
Sat, March 30
England v Wales (4.45pm, Ashton Gate)
Sun, March 31
Ireland v Italy (3pm, RDS Arena)
Round Three
Sat, April 13
Scotland v England (2.15pm, Hive Stadium)
Sat, April 13
Ireland v Wales (4.45pm, Virgin Media Park)
Sun, April 14
France v Italy (12.30pm, Stade Jean Bouin)
Round Four
Sat, April 20
England v Ireland (2.15pm, Twickenham)
Sat, April 20
Italy v Scotland (4.45pm, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi)
Sun, April 21
Wales v France (3.15pm, Cardiff Arms Park)
Round Five
Sat, April 27
Wales v Italy (12.15pm, Principality Stadium)
Sat, April 27
Ireland v Scotland (2.30pm, Kingspan Stadium)
Sat, April 27
France v England (4.45pm, Stade Chaban-Delmas)
The 28-year-old’s current injury – sustained in Exeter’s 19-19 draw with Harlequins in Premiership Women’s Rugby last month – is not believed to be an aggravation of a previous neck problem, which threatened to end her career three years ago.
MacDonald damaged two discs in her neck following an accident in training while preparing for England’s 2021 autumn internationals. She lost her England contract after being told she might never play rugby again, but then recovered in time for the 2022 World Cup in New Zealand.
Having become a regular starter for the Red Roses, her absence is a sizable blow for England, who are already without experienced tighthead prop Sarah Bern for this year’s championship.
Meanwhile, should she be named in John Mitchell’s Six Nations squad on Monday, Poppy Cleall will miss England’s opener against Italy on March 24 in Parma after receiving a two-game ban for conduct prejudicial to the game in Saracens’ victory over Leicester Tigers last Sunday.
In a disciplinary hearing with the Rugby Football Union on Tuesday, the No 8 admitted to saying “that’s a f—— high tackle” after being caught in an “upright” collision with Leicester’s Jade Jones. She was immediately sent to the sin-bin by referee Nikki O’Donnell for dissent.
In a written statement, Cleall said she “would never look to disrespect the authority of any match officials and apologised immediately post-match to the referee if it came across in this way”.
The panel, however, ruled her comments, while “instinctual” were “clearly deliberate” and they could have been perceived to be directed at O’Donnell following her decision to not award a penalty for a high tackle.
When is the 2024 Women’s Six Nations?
The Women’s Six Nations gets underway on March 23 when France, last year’s runners-up, welcome Ireland at the Stade Marie-Marvingt in Le Mans.
England kick off their campaign against Italy in Parma at 3pm (UK time) on March 24. The Red Roses, who are heavy favourites to win a fifth consecutive Six Nations crown, will target a record-breaking crowd when they play Ireland at Twickenham in the fourth round.
How do I get tickets for matches?
You should consult each country’s individual union website for information about tickets to matches.
Plus… Wales look to replicate Gloucester-Hartpury’s recipe for success
Ioan Cunningham has challenged his Wales side to tap into Gloucester-Hartpury’s winning formula after naming 13 players from the club in his Women’s Six Nations squad.
Wales enjoyed their best championship in more than a decade last year after finishing third behind second-placed France and champions England, which meant they moved up to sixth in the world rankings.
Wales have failed to topple the two European powerhouses of the women’s game in recent years but having more than a dozen Gloucester-Hartpury players to call upon, including captain Hannah Jones, could count in their favour as they aim to close the gap on their title-chasing rivals.
The reigning Premiership Women’s Rugby champions are on a 12-game unbeaten streak in the women’s top flight and Cunningham hopes his Gloucester-Hartpury contingent can emulate that winning mentality in a red shirt.
“It’s a challenge, mentally as well as physically for us as a group,” he said. “There’s great cohesion there which we can use as a positive for our campaign. Gloucester-Hartpury are flying at the moment. They’re playing a good brand of rugby and the challenge is to bring that into a Welsh environment.”
Cunningham has opted for a blend of youth and experience in his 37-strong squad, with Jenny Hesketh, the former England Under-20s captain, one of seven uncapped players to be called up. The full-back, who has been in a rich vein of form for Bristol Bears this season, qualifies for Wales through her mother.
“She’s been on the radar for a while and we’ve kept an eye on her,” said Cunningham, who now has 34 full-time players at his disposal. “Jenny’s a great footballing full-back, with great hand speed, she kicks the ball well, she’s got good footwork so she’ll add a nice blend in our back-three make-up.”
Wales open their Women’s Six Nations campaign against Scotland at Cardiff Arms Park on March 23, before facing England in front of what is expected to be a bumper crowd at Ashton Gate.
They conclude their championship in a blockbuster clash against Italy at the Principality Stadium on April 27.
Wales Women’s Six Nations squad
Forwards Gwenllian Pyrs, Abbey Constable, Carys Phillips, Kelsey Jones, Molly Reardon, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Donna Rose, Jenni Scoble, Abbie Fleming, Natalia John, Gwen Crabb, Bryonie King, Shona Wakley, Alisha Butchers, Georgia Evans, Alex Callender, Kate Williams, Bethan Lewis, Gwennan Hopkins
Backs Jasmine Joyce, Nel Metcalfe, Jenny Hesketh, Courtney Keight, Kayleigh Powell, Cath Richards, Lisa Neumann, Amelia Tutt, Hannah Jones (captain), Kerin Lake, Hannah Bluck, Carys Cox, Lleucu George, Mollie Wilkinson, Niamh Terry, Keira Bevan, Sian Jones, Meg Davies.
