England rout Scotland to set up Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider

England wingers Claudia MacDonald and Abby Dow both scored doubles in a 59-7 rout of Scotland at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium to set up a Six Nations Grand Slam decider next week against France.

The Red Roses turned on the style in front of a 15,530-crowd, running in nine tries – six of them in a dominant first half –as they extended their winning run to 24 matches.

Kelsey Clifford, Marlie Packer, captain Zoe Aldcroft, MacDonald, Abbie Ward and Lark Atkin-Davies all went over to put England 42-0 up at half-time.

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

‘This Energy Never Stops’ – Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025

MacDonald touched down for her second try after the break and although Scotland responded through centre Lisa Thomson’s score, Dow had the crowd out of their seats with her first effort before she completed the scoring.

England had been given a tough test in the first half of their previous match against Ireland in Cork before running out 49-5 winners and they produced a brilliant performance in the opening 40 minutes against Scotland.

Prop Clifford barged over from close range to give England a sixth-minute lead before flanker and former captain Packer burrowed over for her 50th Red Roses try.

The score takes Packer above Rory Underwood (49 tries), the top men’s try-scorer, in the all-time England try-scorers list – meaning four of the top five England try scorers are women.

Flanker Aldcroft’s interception effort put England 21-0 up in the 21st minute, and seven minutes later, MacDonald side-stepped her way over for the home side’s fourth try.

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Second row Ward stretched over to extend England’s lead before hooker Atkin-Davies dived over from a metre out to put the Red Roses out of sight at the interval.

Fly-half Holly Aitchison landed all six of her first-half conversion attempts before England resumed in relentless fashion.

Scotland continued to gamely make their tackles, but the Red Roses brilliantly span the ball wide for MacDonald to race in at the corner for her second score.

Dogged Scotland responded with a try through Thomson following a driving maul to deservedly get themselves on the scoreboard, with fly-half Helen Nelson converting to leave England 49-7 ahead.

The Scots’ defence and intensity was much improved in the second period and they enjoyed another spell of decent possession and territory with 20 minutes remaining.

But England finished strongly to add to their tally through Dow’s late double – her first a superb 50-metre solo effort – with Aitchison missing her last two conversion attempts.

With France’s 34-21 win over Italy earlier in the day, the Women’s Six Nations title will once again be decided on the final weekend between England and France.