Source: ©INPHO/Giuseppe Fama

Claudia MacDonald’s Testing Times

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The news of Claudia MacDonald’s serious neck injury is a sad and unwelcome counter to all the good news surrounding women’s rugby at the moment.

She has taken the brave decision to let nature do the healing, rather than undertake risky surgery, though there is no certainty of early success.

It’s a sharp reminder of the narrow margin between fulfilment and disappointment in the game.

Her rise to England colours was as steep and remarkable as anyone’s in recent history. She picked up a rugby ball at the age of 19; at 22 she received her first full England cap at Allianz Park against the USA. The date: 9 November 2018.

And she didn’t start at once at No 9. In the first season of the Prem 15s she played at full-back or wing for DMP, such was her pace. So her development as an international scrum-half of repute is all the more astonishing.

The England management were quite happy to ask her to switch back to left wing against the world champions, the Black Ferns, when on tour in California.

She has gone on to win 18 caps.

Since 2018 I’ve had the privilege of watching her many times playing for Wasps. Imagine a seasoned overseas observer turning up at Twyford Avenue for the first time and unfamiliar with English players. You ask: ‘Which one of the Black and Golds has the least experience?’ I’m certain Claudia would not be the verdict. She is living proof of how quickly an intelligent athlete can pick the game up, in all its intricacies.

We all wish her a speedy recovery and perseverance in the process.