England v Scotland: Women’s Six Nations – live

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13 min: A sweet move off the back of the scrum sees the ball fizz to Nelson who is flat at the line and then picks out a beautiful pass for Orr on a scything run against the grain. She gives it back to Nelson who comes close. The ball is recycled and then Orr has a dart for the line. She reaches but not far enough. The ball is grounded but it’s just short. Great play from the Scots.

12 min: Dow has made a mess of a routine catch inside her own 22, somehow knocking it on. That was sloppy. A big chance for Scotland to hit back straight away.

TRY! England 7-0 Scotland (Macdonald 9)

Just relentless stuff from England. It stared with Packer’s break and was carried forward by Cleall’s canter through the middle. Macdonald on Reed’s outside shoulder gets the ball at just the right moment and can shrug off the defender on the line to burst over and dot down. Reed steps up from inside centre to slot the conversion.

9 min: Marlie Packer, just so powerful. It’s her carry that takes it deep in Scotland's territory. Cleall is close. One metre short.

8 min: Scotland look alright with ball in hand. Nelson delays a pass and finds a runner. Bern gives away a penalty for going off her feet so Nelson can boot it upfield for a line-out. But Cleall wins it and England counter with Marlie Packer charging with her fourth carry already. Scotland lose their head and give away a penalty. Gallagher perhaps unlucky, that ball looked out at the back of the ruck.

6 min: Scotland have some possession but can’t break through the white wall so Nelson kicks into England’s 22. Handy tap, that.

5 min: Marlie Packer again with a big carry, steamrolling the tackler. But a few phases later Scotland nick a penalty on the ground. Cleall holding on with Belisle stealing it.

3 min: The line-out from the penalty goes to the middle where Kabeya brings it down. The ball moves in field. Aitchison and Tuima with some neat passes. They inch their way forward, but mostly move laterally so the fly-half kicks. They get it back after a poor Scotland kick and Marlie Packer makes some metres. Dow does well to hold up a tackle before Breach makes more ground down the right wing.

1 min: Scotland kick off and England fumble the ball immediately. Not the greatest start. The visitors have a scrum just outside the 22 but England’s pack absolutely monster the set piece and win a penalty. Debutant Carson with a mighty second shove.

England respond with God Save the King. Just a few tears in Hunter’s eyes. Almost time now.

Right then, Flower of Scotland rings out across what looks like a very chilly Kingston Park.

I know I keep going on about Sarah Hunter, but she really is the star of the show today. She leads her team out and is wearing a smile that’s almost touching her ears. No quiet stoicism for this England legend. She is loving every minute of it.

Sarah Hunter is on my screen speaking on a truly exceptional segment from the BBC. Her dad welled up as he recounted some anecdotes. Her mum was there, just beaming with pride. Same with her high school headmaster and her youth club coach. What a player. What a person.

There’s been a lot of focus on the English back row, with Maggie Alphonsi saying it feels like a “changing of the guard”.

Much of that has to do with Sadia Kabeya, who chatted with Emma John in this cracking interview:

Now Simon Middleton, as he begins his final Six Nations campaign:

I’m good about it. I’m really happy with my decision and really excited to play another Six nations. We’ve got a lot of new faces. We’ve had a great three weeks coaching them and we’ll see how we go.

We worked on a few things. We just want to see the girls go out there and make a statement for themselves. I think to see them enjoy themselves and do themselves justice will be important.

[On Hunter]: It couldn’t be better for her. She’s going through the same routine she’s gone through 140 times. She’s given everything she’s had to the game and been the very best version of herself. It couldn’t be a better stage for her today.

Just a reminder that Scotland have lost nine in a row and picked up the wooden spoon last year. Not to worry, their coach Bryan Easson says they’re “building”. He certainly cut a calm figure speaking to the BBC just now.

It’s easy to get overly schmaltzy when it comes to ‘rugby values’, but these are genuinely heartwarming images:

Scotland place faith in youth

Bryan Easson has named a youthful XV, especially in the backline where his centre and wing parings – including debutant Francesca McGhie - have 11 caps between them. They’re now steered by a new attack coach, Chris Laidlaw, who has been brought in to inject some life into an underperforming outfit.

Scotland: Rollie; Grant, Orr, Smith, McGhie; Nelson, Mattinson; Bartlett, Skeldon, Belisle, O’Donnell, McMillan, Malcolm (c), McLachlan, Gallager.

Replacements: Rettie, Young, Clarke, Donaldson, Sinclair, McDonald, Blacklock, Musgrove.

England team in Sarah Hunter's final game

For the last time ever, Sarah Hunter’s name is on a Red Roses team sheet.

Sadia Kabeya, one of the most exciting loose forwards around, starts behind a formidable tight five. Claudia Macdonald moves back to the wing.

England: Dow; Breach, Tuima, Reed, Macdonald; Aitchison, L Packer; Carson, Cokayne, Bern, Aldcroft, Cleall, Kabeya, M Packer, Hunter (c)

Replacements: Davies, Crake, Clifford, O’Donnell, Beckett, Wyrwas, Heard, Sing.

Speaking of Sarah, here’s a brilliant team-by-team guide to help set the scene for today:

Spare a thought for our reporter on the ground. Sarah, if you’re reading this, let us know if you’ve made it there on time.

When the final whistle sounds later today, and the players shake hands after a hard fought contest, spare a though for Sarah Hunter who will call time on a remarkable career that has spanned 16 years and includes 14o Test caps.

England’s most capped player has said she wants to leave on her “own terms”.

“Not many athletes get to choose how and when they call time on their playing careers,” Hunter said. “I’m very fortunate that I have the opportunity to finish on my own terms. I couldn’t think of a better way to do it than in my home town where my rugby journey started.

“I get to finish in a place that has a special place in my heart in front of my friends, family and Red Roses supporters and I feel very fortunate that I’m able to do that.

“To play there in a white shirt – which is something I’ve been immensely proud of and I feel very honoured to have represented my country so many times – feels like an ending I couldn’t look past and I feel very fortunate that I get to do this.”

Salut, Sarah. We may never see your like again.

Premable

Hello there. It’s good to be back, isn’t it? Now of course another Six Nations tournament has just wrapped up, but if you’re English, and you place any value in winning, then this is the one for you.

That’s not to say any fan of the Red Roses is a glory hunter. If anything the true believers will be needed now more than ever as the once unbeatable side is forced to start again. This is the first page of a new chapter after the heartbreaking loss in the World Cup final last year.

Scotland will be desperate to prove that they’re more than just a side character in this saga. They pushed England last year, especially at the breakdown which will likely be a hotly contested area today, but were eventually routed 55-7.

My name is Daniel. I’m thrilled to be here with you for this one. Do get in touch if you fancy.

Kick off at 16:45 at Kingston Park in Newcastle.