England’s women’s rugby side put on a spectacular display at Murrayfield, crossing the try line twelve times as they crushed Scotland 84-7 in the second round of the 2024 Women’s Six Nations. The match, played in front of a crowd of 30,498, not only secured a bonus‑point win but also cemented the Red Roses at the top of the tournament table.
Injuries had forced England to make five changes to the line‑up that had defeated Ireland in the opening round. The most notable alteration saw full‑back Ellie Kildunne shift to the wing to replace Emma Sing, who moved onto the wing herself. Veteran centre Alex Matthews missed the game with a shoulder problem, while front‑row stalwarts Hannah Botterman, Morwenna Talling, Natasha Hunt, May Campbell and Tatyana Heard were ruled out for the rest of the championship.
Despite the reshuffle, England never looked unsettled. They exploded out of the gates, scoring five tries before the break and clinching the coveted bonus point. Kildunne was the star of the first half, touching down twice – once in the eighth minute after a brilliant break by Maddie Feaunati and again on the 23rd minute following a looping pass from captain Meg Jones. The other first‑half scorers were Meg Jones herself, Kelsey Clifford, and Emma Sing, who finished a swift counter‑attack after Maud Muir broke through the Scottish defence.
Scotland managed a historic moment when winger Rhona Lloyd became the first woman to score for her country in a stand‑alone women’s fixture at Murrayfield. Her try, converted by Helen Nelson, reduced the deficit to 28‑7, but England quickly re‑established dominance.
By halftime the score stood at 35‑7, with Zoe Harrison already perfect on the kicking tee, having slotted twelve conversions and a penalty. The second half was a one‑sided affair. England added seven more tries, starting with a line‑out maul that saw Amy Cokayne dive over on the 48th minute. Sarah Bern then powered over twice, in the 54th and 60th minutes, taking the Red Roses past the 50‑point mark.
Veteran flanker Marlie Packer added the ninth try, while Sadia Kabeya, who had already scored earlier, crossed again ten minutes later, exploiting a fatigued Scottish defence. Young talent also shone.
On her third test cap, Mia Venner scored at the 77th minute, and just moments later Haineala Lutui, on her second cap, finished the scoring on the 80th minute. Harrison completed her flawless day with two more conversions, bringing her total to twelve and sealing an 84‑7 triumph. The match statistics underline England’s superiority: twelve tries, twelve conversions, and a staggering 84 points, compared with Scotland’s solitary try and conversion.
The Red Roses’ ability to adapt to personnel changes, maintain attacking fluidity, and dominate set‑piece play highlighted why they are the benchmark in European women’s rugby. Beyond the scoreline, the game offered several notable storylines. Ellie Kildunne’s successful transition to wing demonstrated her versatility and speed, while Meg Jones’ captaincy continued to earn praise for her leadership and try‑scoring instincts. The performance also gave coach John Mitchell confidence in the depth of his squad, showing that even with a depleted roster, England can produce an attacking onslaught.
The victory also had broader implications for the Six Nations standings. With the bonus‑point win, England moved clear at the top of the table, leaving France in second place solely on points difference after their own dominant win over Wales.
The result further widened the gap between the Red Roses and their nearest rivals, reinforcing England’s status as the team to beat this season. In the post‑match interviews, England captain Meg Jones praised the team’s relentless approach: “We were relentless today.
We want to keep building each game and this match gives us great feedback. I’m proud of how the girls adapted.” Former World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi added, “All the forwards really stepped up today. The power game was impressive; we owned the collisions and capitalised on every chance.” Scotland’s coach, while disappointed, acknowledged the challenge of facing a side of England’s calibre. “Thirty thousand fans came to support us, and we didn’t deliver the performance they deserved,” he said, noting the need to regroup ahead of the next fixture.
Overall, the 84‑7 rout will be remembered as one of the most dominant displays in Women’s Six Nations history, showcasing England’s depth, skill, and relentless ambition as they continue their quest for the championship title.