Hunter departs on a high as Red Roses dominate

ENGLAND legend Sarah Hunter retired in style as her side’s Women’s Six Nations defence got off to a flying start with a ruthless victory over Scotland.

- REBECCA JOHNSON

ENGLAND 58 SCOTLAND 7

The game was a special occasion for co-captain Hunter, who signed off on her rugby career with a big win on home soil at Kingston Park, where England easily secured the bonus point against the Dark Blues.

A quickfire second-half hat-trick from co-captain Marlie Packer capped off a disappointing day for the Scots.

Hunter, who hails from North Shields, just along the River Tyne from Newcastle, led the side out and they took the lead nine minutes in after pressure on the Scottish goalline allowed Claudia MacDonald to burst through to touch down.

Scotland had a chance to pull a try back with a fantastic attack on England’s goal-line and Emma Orr came incredibly close to scoring, but she grounded the ball slightly short with the hosts able to recover and clear the danger.