England’s women’s rugby side delivered a spectacular performance at Murrayfield, crossing the try line twelve times as they thrashed Scotland 84-7 in the second round of the Women’s Six Nations. The match, played in front of a crowd of 30,498, highlighted England’s depth and attacking flair even after a spate of injuries forced several lineup changes. In the lead‑up to the game, England had to make five alterations to the squad that had secured a win over Ireland in the opening round.
The most notable switch saw Ellie Kildunne, traditionally a full‑back, redeployed to the wing to replace Emma Sing. The team also missed the services of Alex Matthews, who was ruled out with a shoulder problem, and several other key players—including Hannah Botterman, Morwenna Talling, Natasha Hunt, May Campbell and Tatyana Heard—who were sidelined for the entire tournament.
Despite the reshuffle, the Red Roses showed no sign of hesitation. They exploded out of the gates, scoring five tries before the break and securing a coveted bonus point. Kildunne was the star of the first half, touching down twice, while Meg Jones, Kelsey Clifford, and newcomer Emma Sing each added a try of their own.
Their early dominance set the tone for what would become a relentless on‑field assault. Scotland managed a moment of pride when Rhona Lloyd broke through to become the first woman to score for her nation in a standalone women's fixture at Murrayfield. Helen Nelson’s conversion narrowed the gap to 28-7, but the home side could not sustain any momentum. England quickly re‑asserted control, with Maud Muir breaking through tackles and feeding Emma Sing for a further try that pushed the score to 35-7 at halftime.
The second half belonged entirely to England. They continued to dominate possession and territory, adding seven more tries to their tally. Sarah Bern delivered a brace, while Amy Cokayne, Marlie Packer, Sadia Kabeya, Mia Venner and Haineala Lutui each crossed the line.
Zoe Harrison was flawless with the boot, converting all twelve attempts and contributing significantly to the final tally. Key moments included a swift line‑out maul that saw Cokayne dive over on the 42nd minute, and Bern’s powerful runs on the 54th and 60th minutes that pushed the score past the 50‑point mark. Veteran forward Marlie Packer added her try as the ninth for England, followed shortly by Kabeya’s effort, which underscored Scotland’s defensive frailties under sustained pressure.
In the closing stages, the young talent 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 for England as the clock wound down. Harrison’s 11th and 12th conversions sealed the comprehensive 84-7 victory, cementing England’s position at the top of the Six Nations table.
Beyond the raw numbers, the match illustrated England’s ability to adapt. Coach John Mitchell’s willingness to reshuffle the back‑line and forward pack paid dividends, with players stepping into unfamiliar roles and thriving. The depth of the squad, demonstrated by the seamless integration of Kildunne on the wing and the impact of newcomers like Sing, suggests that England can maintain its high standards throughout the tournament despite injury setbacks. The game also offered a historic footnote for Scotland.
Rhona Lloyd’s try marked a milestone as the first woman to score for Scotland in a standalone women’s match at Murrayfield, a symbolic achievement even as the team endured a heavy defeat. Overall, the Red Roses displayed a blend of clinical finishing, relentless pressure, and strategic versatility. Their twelve‑try haul, complemented by flawless goal‑kicking, not only secured a massive points margin but also sent a clear message to the rest of the competition: England remains the benchmark for excellence in women’s rugby. The performance sets a high bar for the remaining fixtures and underscores why England is the team to beat in this year’s Women’s Six Nations.