England’s women’s rugby side put on a spectacular display at Murrayfield, crossing the try‑line twelve times as they powered to an 84‑7 triumph over Scotland in the second round of the Women’s Six Nations. The result not only secured a bonus‑point win but also cemented the Red Roses at the top of the tournament table. A spate of injuries forced England to make five alterations to the line‑up that had delivered a comfortable win against Ireland two weeks earlier.
The most notable change saw Ellie Kildunne, who had been playing at full‑back, shifted to the wing to make way for Emma Sing. Alex Matthews missed the match entirely after suffering a shoulder problem, while veteran forwards Hannah Botterman, Morwenna Talling, Natasha Hunt, May Campbell and Tatyana Heard were ruled out for the rest of the championship. Despite the reshuffle, England showed no signs of nervousness.
They exploded out of the gates, scoring five tries before the interval and clinching the coveted bonus point. Kildunne was the star of the first half, touching down twice – once in the eighth minute after a break by Maddie Feaunati and again just before the half‑hour mark when a slick looping pass from captain Meg Jones found her in space for her 50th international try. The other first‑half scorers were Meg Jones herself, Kelsey Clifford, and Emma Sing, who each added to the growing tally.
Scotland did manage a moment of history when winger Rhona Lloyd became the first woman to score for her nation in a stand‑alone women’s fixture at Murrayfield. Her try, set up by a brilliant kick over the top, was converted by Helen Nelson, bringing the score to 28‑7.
However, the Scottish side struggled to contain England’s relentless attack and found themselves on the back foot for the remainder of the game. The second half was an England showcase.
Sarah Bern added a double, breaking through the Scottish defence with power and pace. Amy Cokayne, Marlie Packer, Sadia Kabeya, Mia Venner and Haineala Lutui all crossed the line, pushing the total to twelve tries.
Zoe Harrison was flawless with the boot, slotting twelve conversions – a perfect record that helped the Red Roses stretch the margin to an astonishing 84‑7. The crowd of 30,498 witnessed England dominate every facet of the match. After an early period where Scotland held most of the possession, the hosts weathered the pressure and turned it into points. By the 23rd minute, England’s fluid passing had produced a perfect looping ball that allowed Kildunne to dash in for her second try of the day.
Shortly after, Clifford powered over from close range to guarantee the bonus point, with Harrison’s conversion taking the score to 28‑0. Scotland’s brief respite came when Lloyd’s historic try narrowed the gap, but England responded immediately. Maud Muir broke through the Scottish line, off‑loading to Sing, who sprinted to the corner for her own score. Harrison’s conversion again found the posts, and the half‑time scoreboard read 35‑7 in England’s favour.
The second half began with a nervous few minutes for England, but they soon settled into their rhythm. A well‑executed lineout maul saw Cokayne plunge over, and Harrison added another conversion to make it 42‑7. Bern then used her strength to drive over at the 54th and 60th minutes, each try followed by a successful kick, pushing the total past the 50‑point mark. Veteran Marlie Packer, who had been a mainstay in the squad, added her ninth try, showcasing her experience and positional awareness.
Ten minutes later Kabeya, using her physicality, powered over to make it the tenth try. Scotland, fatigued and under constant pressure, could not halt England’s momentum. In the closing stages, the younger members of the squad were given a chance to shine.
On her third test cap, Mia Venner scored at the 77th minute, while Haineala Lutui, on her second cap, capped the scoring spree with a try in the final seconds. Harrison completed the conversion tally, sealing an 84‑7 rout that will be remembered as one of the most dominant performances in Women’s Six Nations history. The match report also noted other fixtures from the same round. France rallied in the second half to defeat Wales 38‑7 at Cardiff Park, moving them into second place behind England on points difference.
Ireland, motivated after a loss to England, thumped Italy 57‑20 in Galway, with Beibhinn Parsons netting a hat‑trick. Captains from the three victorious sides – Meg Jones (England), Erin King (Ireland) and the French leadership – praised their squads’ work ethic and resilience.
Overall, England’s comprehensive win over Scotland highlighted the depth of talent in the Red Roses squad, their ability to adapt to injury setbacks, and the effectiveness of head coach John Mitchell’s tactical adjustments. The performance not only earned them maximum points but also sent a clear message to the rest of the competition: England are in formidable form and intent on defending their Six Nations title.