England’s senior women’s side put on a masterclass at Murrayfield, crossing the try‑line twelve times as they powered to an 84‑7 demolition of Scotland in the second round of the Women’s Six Nations. The performance not only secured the tournament’s bonus‑point win but also cemented the Red Roses at the top of the table, underscoring their dominance in the competition.
In the lead‑up to the match, England were forced to make a raft of changes because of injuries. Five starters from the opening victory over Ireland were unavailable, the most significant being full‑back Ellie Kildunne, who was shifted onto the wing to accommodate Emma Sing. Veteran centre Alex Matthews missed the game with a shoulder problem, while the likes of Hannah Botterman, Morwenna Talling, Natasha Hunt, May Campbell and Tatyana Heard were ruled out for the entire tournament.
Despite the disruption, England’s depth shone through; the squad looked unfazed and quickly asserted control. The opening half belonged to England. Within eight minutes, Maddie Feaunati broke through the Scottish defence and fed Kildunne, now playing on the wing, who sprinted to the corner for the first try. Zoe Harrison’s conversion made it 7‑0.
Five minutes later Sadia Kabeya joined the party, finishing a slick move that saw captain Meg Jones slice through the line. By the 23rd minute Kildunne had already scored her second try of the day – a milestone 50th international try – after a perfect looping pass from Jones. Kelsey Clifford added a close‑range effort to guarantee the bonus point, and Harrison kept the conversion tally perfect. At the half‑time whistle England led 35‑7, having already recorded five tries.
Scotland did manage a historic moment when wing Rhona Lloyd became the first woman to score for her nation in a stand‑alone women’s fixture at Murrayfield. Helen Nelson’s conversion trimmed the deficit to 28‑7, but the Scottish side could not sustain any momentum. England’s relentless pressure, combined with a series of unforced errors from the hosts, meant the visitors never looked back. The second half was a continuation of England’s on‑fire display.
Amy Cokayne, a reliable finisher, grounded the ball after a classic line‑out maul, extending the lead to 42‑7. Sarah Bern then showcased her power, scoring two tries in quick succession – the 54th and 60th minutes – pushing the total past the 50‑point mark. Marlie Packer, a seasoned campaigner, added the ninth try, while Kabeya returned to the scoresheet ten minutes later for her second of the match. With the game winding down, England gave their younger talents a chance to shine.
On her third test cap, Mia Venner slotted a corner try in the 77th minute, and just moments later Haine‑la Lutui, on her second cap, barreled over to seal the final score. Zoe Harrison, flawless with the boot, added twelve successful conversions, capping off an 84‑7 victory that left the Scottish side visibly demoralised. The crowd of 30,498 witnessed a one‑sided spectacle, but Scotland’s early possession in the first five minutes showed they were not completely out of the contest.
However, once England weathered the initial storm, they turned every opportunity into points. Their forward pack, led by the likes of Maud Muir and the ever‑reliable Jones, dominated the breakdowns, providing clean ball for the backs to exploit. Beyond the raw numbers, the match highlighted England’s depth and adaptability.
Coach John Mitchell’s forced reshuffle did not hinder the team’s fluidity; instead, it demonstrated the quality of the squad beyond the usual starters. Players such as Ellie Kildunne proved their versatility by thriving in a new position, while newcomers Emma Sing and Maud Muir made immediate impacts. The result also had broader implications for the Six Nations standings.
With the bonus‑point win, England moved clear to the top of the table, leaving France in second place on points difference. The dominant display sent a clear message to the rest of the competition: the Red Roses are not only the favourites but also a side capable of scoring at will, even when missing key personnel. In the broader context of the tournament, the day also featured other notable matches.
France rallied in the second half to defeat Wales 38‑7 at Cardiff Park, securing second place behind England. Ireland, eager to rebound from a recent loss to England, thrashed Italy 57‑20 in Galway, with Beibhinn Parsons netting a hat‑trick. These results further shaped the championship narrative, but England’s performance remained the headline.
Quotes from the post‑match interviews underscored the team’s mindset. Captain Meg Jones praised the squad’s relentlessness, saying, “We want to keep building every game we have and this game gives us great feedback.
I am really proud of how the girls adapted today.” Former World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi added, “All the forwards really stepped up today. It was an impressive display from England. After the way they played against Ireland, you could say England were very rusty, but today they owned it.” The match also sparked a poignant observation from Alphonsi about the Scottish fans: “It’s disappointing for the Scottish fans. Thirty thousand are here to watch Scotland play and they just didn’t put in a performance.” While the Scottish side will look to regroup, the day belonged unequivocally to England, whose blend of experience, depth and attacking flair produced a performance that will be remembered as one of the most comprehensive victories in Women’s Six Nations history.
Overall, the 84‑7 scoreline reflects not just a high‑scoring affair but a statement of intent from England. Their ability to score twelve tries, convert each one flawlessly, and maintain intensity despite a reshuffled lineup sets a benchmark for the rest of the tournament. As the Six Nations progresses, all eyes will be on the Red Roses to see if they can sustain this level of dominance and claim the championship outright.