Scotland vs England LIVE: Women’s Six Nations result, final score and reaction

Follow live updates from the first match in the 2022 Women’s Six Nations at DAM Health Stadium

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A Marlie Packer hat-trick helped England begin their Women’s Six Nations campaign with a 57-5 thrashing of Scotland. Simon Middleton’s side extended their remarkable winning streak to 19 matches after a nine-try triumph over their rivals in Edinburgh. Playing in the shadows of Murrayfield, Packer got the ball rolling for England and they went on to comfortably secure a bonus-point victory to start their pursuit of another Grand Slam title.

It took nine minutes for the defending champions to go over for the first time through Packer and Emily Scarratt kicked the conversion on her Test return after a broken leg last year. Scarratt would play 58 minutes and finish with a 10-point haul after England went over six times in the opening half. Packer claimed a first-half double with Poppy Cleall, Heather Cowell, Abby Dow and Leanne Infante also touching down to make it 38-5 at the break. Holly Aitchison and Connie Powell added further tries after the restart before prop Packer secured a personal treble after some assistance from the TMO.

Scotland suffered a heavy loss to their old foes but the score only told half the story, with Chloe Rollie’s early try able to give the home crowd something to shout about while a knock-on denied Rachel McLachlan a further effort in an overall display that showed they can build on last season’s fifth-place finish. Follow all the reaction from this Women's Six Nations opener with our live blog below:

Scotland vs England

• 9 mins - TRY for Packer and converted as England take the lead, before P Cleall scores second
• 17 mins - TRY for Rollie pulls one back for Scotland
• 23 mins - TRY as Cowell races over the line and Dow storms through for quickfire fourth
• 31 mins - TRY for Packer and a fifth for the Red Roses
• 39 mins - TRY for Infante gives England a 33-point lead at the break
• 54 mins - TRY as Aitchison dots down first score of second half
• 65 mins - TRY for Powell just after coming on before Packer scores hat-trick one minute later
• England begin defence of Women’s Six Nations title with 52-point thrashing of Scotland

[26 March 2022 11:40 · Sarah Rendell]

Scotland vs England

There was a lot of buzz around Ben Youngs in the Six Nations after he became the all-time men’s cap holder but he has nothing on Sarah Hunter.

The England captain is closing in on Rocky Clark’s haul of 137 caps - the most capped England international. Hunter will win her 131st cap this afternoon and will surely break the cap record in 2022.

A huge amount of caps and what an achievement for the skipper!

[26 March 2022 11:35 · Sarah Rendell]

Scotland vs England

Scotland head coach Bryan Easson has made his targets clear ahead of the Women’s Six Nations.

He has hammered out consistency as the main objective, saying: “We are looking for a concerted effort of consistency in our performance this weekend and making sure we play for the full 80 minutes.

“We are aware of the challenge that England will pose on Saturday so it’s hugely important we stick to our systems and processes, while also keeping a good discipline throughout the match.”

Under half an hour until kick-off, excited? I am!

[26 March 2022 11:30 · Sarah Rendell]

Scotland vs England

This tournament is such a good opportunity for head coaches to sort out combinations ahead of the World Cup later this year.

England boss Simon Middleton has spoken about that ahead of their Women’s Six Nations opener as he has an abundance of players to choose from.

“We go into this year’s Six Nations with some clear objectives in terms of the improvements we are looking for in our performances,” he said. “The players are crystal clear in terms of how we want to play and what we want our game to look like.

“They have trained exceptionally hard and every session we have improved our accuracy and execution. What we now need to find out is which players can put the best version of our game on the field come the big occasion. Playing Scotland in Scotland is one such occasion.”

So be prepared to see the fly-half shirt switch hands as well as front row combinations.

[26 March 2022 11:25 · Sarah Rendell]

Scotland vs England

Who has loved the step-up in coverage to the Women’s Six Nations this year? My social media has been flooded with amazing stories, preview pieces and stats.

This is the year of unprecedented live coverage too with the BBC showing each match and on their flagship channels.

Scotland vs England is being broadcast on BBC Two and this is thanks to the success of the autumn internationals. Millions tuned in to watch England’s four matches and it will be interesting to see all of viewing stats from the Six Nations.

This tournament will get underway in just over half an hour with quotes coming from England’s head coach Simon Middleton and Scotland boss Bryan Easson.

[26 March 2022 11:20 · Sarah Rendell]

Scotland vs England

The favourites heading into this one are England but what are your predictions?

It would be amazing if Scotland could cause an upset, to keep the Red Roses and their toes but it will be a tricky game for them to do it in.

The match I’m excited for Scotland to play this tournament is against Ireland, the last time they played each other Scotland ended Ireland’s World Cup dream.

So many interesting storylines to this tournament, I’m so excited for it to get going!

[26 March 2022 11:12 · Sarah Rendell]

Scotland vs England

Both teams have announced matchday 23s and there are some milestones and returning faces.

For hosts Scotland, Jade Konkel will win her 50th cap and Emma Wassell will play in her 53rd consecutive match for the hosts. Fast paced wingers Rhona Lloyd and Megan Gaffney starts and Chloe Rollie line-up at full-back.

In the forwards, Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon and Christine Belisle make up the front row with captain Rachel Malcolm, Rachel McLachlan and Konkel make up the back row.

Meanwhile, for England, Emily Scarratt is back in action after she broke her leg earlier this season. She will partner Holly Aitchison in the centre with Helena Rowland at fly-half.

In the forwards, Rosie Galligan wins her first cap in three years with Poppy Cleall, Marlie Packer and captain Sarah Hunter making up the back-row.

Scotland: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Hannah Smith, Lisa Thomson, Megan Gaffney; Helen Nelson, Jenny Maxwell; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell, Louise McMillan, Rachel Malcolm (captain), Rachel McLachlan, Jade Konkel.

Replacements: Molly Wright, Lisa Cockburn, Katie Dougan, Lyndsay O’Donnell, Eva Donaldson, Sarah Law, Meryl Smith, Shona Campbell.

England: Ellie Kildunne; Heather Cowell, Emily Scarratt, Holly Aitchison, Abby Dow; Helena Rowland, Leanne Infante; Maud Muir, Lark Davies, Sarah Bern, Rosie Galligan, Abbie Ward, Poppy Cleall, Marlie Packer, Sarah Hunter (captain).

Replacements: Connie Powell, Vickii Cornborough, Bryony Cleall, Sarah Beckett, Alex Matthews, Lucy Packer, Amber Reed, Emma Sing.

[26 March 2022 11:04 · Sarah Rendell]

Scotland vs England

Welcome to the Women’s Six Nations and what a match we have to start off this campaign!

England have travelled to Scotland to try and start their title defence in the perfect way. But Scotland will want to cause an upset and they will have momentum after booking their spot at the World Cup.

We will find out if Scotland can get a win over their rivals in just over an hour’s time.

The teams have been announced to stay tuned for all the team news...