Sarah Hunter signs off in style as Packer lights up England’s rout of Scotland

The England co-captain Sarah Hunter was given the perfect send-off as she retired after the Red Roses demolished Scotland in their opening Women’s Six Nations match. Hunter, who is the overall record cap-holder for her country, received a standing ovation from the 10,053 supporters when she was replaced after 58 minutes in her home city of Newcastle.

After 141 caps, 10 Six Nations titles, nine grand slams and one World Cup, Hunter led the team out for a final time and had tears in her eyes as the national anthem played. The emotion was poured into a strong performance from the defending champions who ran in 10 tries including a hat-trick from player of the match, Marlie Packer.

England, who had their players’ names on the back of their shirts for the first time, started shakily. Claudia MacDonald knocked on and their first attacking phases ended in a Scotland turnover. But their set piece was strong, winning a scrum penalty after marching Scotland backwards, and they not only had pinpoint lineouts but stole them, too.

The hosts shook off the early mistakes and were the first to draw blood. A Holly Aitchison pass saw the co-captain Packer in space and she made a slick line break. A few phases later, MacDonald was over and the centre Amber Reed added the extras.

England had another handling error, this time with Abby Dow knocking on from a dropped high ball. Scotland had the scrum as a result and swiftly got on the attack. Emma Orr made a great break and an impressive play between her and Helen Nelson had Scotland metres away, but they were halted in a tackle. The visitors kept coming but their resilience was not rewarded, with Simon Middleton’s team the next to score.

England stretched their attack across the pitch,