Claudia MacDonald returns to England rugby after injuries

Claudia MacDonald, an England rugby wing, has shared her journey of overcoming fear after a second neck injury. This injury had kept her away from rugby and affected her daily life. MacDonald, who can also play as a scrum-half, missed last year's Women's Six Nations due to the injury she suffered in February 2024. This was her second neck injury, with the first one occurring in 2022, which had made her think about retiring from the sport. Now 29, she returned to play in December 2024 during a match with her team, Exeter Chiefs. They faced off against Gloucester-Hartpury, the eventual champions. Recently, she was called back into the England team for the Six Nations tournament. Before the tournament, MacDonald described her initial feelings of fear towards rugby. She recalled a moment after making a tackle when she could not move her arms or legs. “I was terrified to be anywhere near a rugby pitch or a rugby ball," she said. During her recovery, MacDonald struggled with anxiety and rarely left her house. She avoided cars and felt frightened about potential dangers. However, as she worked through her challenges and reunited with her teammates, she rediscovered her love for rugby and the reasons she wanted to play again.