ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

England scrum-half facing early retirement

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Thursday Apr 14, 2022

With Rugby being such a physical game it is not uncommon for players to face months on the sidelines with career threatening injuries. One thinks of the likes of Joe Cokanasiga having faced months of rehabilitation since the 2019 world cup. More recently Abby Dow breaking her leg in last weekend’s international vs Wales which could potentially cause her to miss out in Octobers world cup.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sometimes these career threatening injuries become just that. In terms of England scrum halves you only have to look as far back as talented number 9 Harry Ellis. The 27 cap international was forced to retire at the young age of 28 following a number of knee injuries.

Current womens scrum-half Claudia MacDonald has now had to come to terms with such a prospect. During last year’s autumn internationals the 26-year-old Red Roses player sustained a nasty neck injury during a lineout, which has kept her out of action ever since. Despite being repeatedly informed that she would be ‘back in action in a few weeks’, MacDonald is now facing the very real possibility of early retirement due to an acute prolapsed disc and another bulging disc. These injuries have an expectancy of 12-18 months to heal, if at all.

england scrum half claudia macdonald

Speaking to BBC Sport, she said: “Some days it knocks you for six. Some days I’m desperately upset about it, some days I’m angry, some days I’m in denial and still think I can play and my neck is absolutely fine, especially when I’m running around in training.

“Other days I can get excited and look forward to whatever might be next. It’s all over the place really.”

MacDonald was offered 2 surgeries on the injury but chose not to have either of them as the second would have certainly caused an immediate end to her rugby career.

ADVERTISEMENT

The result of choosing not to have the surgeries has meant that MacDonald has to wait for her injuries to heal. Causing her to lose out on her England contract, as they are designed for players looking to make it to the world cup.

“I made the decision not to have surgery. I knew the decision I was making. I was definitely saying goodbye to this Six Nations, probably the World Cup, potentially rugby forever.

“It was a hard decision to make but at least it’s been made now.”

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Bristol Bears break 20-year record with victory...

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    All Blacks star Jordie Barrett discusses...

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Gloucester's next 'Rees-Zammit' scores incredible...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

View All