England delivered a spectacular display of attacking rugby at Murrayfield, crossing the try line twelve times as they crushed 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 the depth of England’s squad despite a spate of injuries that forced five changes from the side that had previously beaten Ireland. The injury list was extensive. Star centre Alex Matthews was ruled out with a shoulder problem, while forward Hannah Botterman, lock Morwenna Talling, back Nat Hunt, utility back May Campbell and versatile Tatyana Heard were all sidelined for the remainder of the tournament.
The most notable positional shift saw Ellie Kildunne, normally a full‑back, redeployed on the wing to replace Emma Sing, who moved to the opposite flank. Even with these disruptions, England showed no sign of hesitation.
They exploded out of the gates, scoring five tries before the break and securing the coveted bonus‑point. Kildunne was the standout, touching down twice – her first try came in the eighth minute after a break by Maddie Feaunati, and she added a second on the 23rd minute with a perfect looping pass from captain Meg Jones. The other first‑half scorers were Meg Jones herself, Kelsey Clifford, and Emma Sing, each contributing to a 35-7 halftime lead.
Scotland managed a historic moment when winger Rhona Lloyd became the first woman to score for her country in a standalone women’s fixture at Murrayfield. Her try, converted by Helen Nelson, trimmed the deficit to 28-7, but the Scottish side could not sustain any momentum. England’s relentless pressure and superior defensive shape left the hosts scrambling.
The second half was an uninterrupted onslaught from the Red Roses. Sarah Bern added a double, breaking through the Scottish line at the 54th and 60th minutes. Amy Cokayne, Marlie Packer, Sadia Kabeya, Mia Venner and Ha‘neala Lutui each crossed the try line, pushing the tally to twelve. Zoe Harrison was flawless with the boot, nailing twelve conversions (including a rare 80+1 drop‑goal style attempt) to cement the final score of 84-7.
Key moments of the match illustrate how England built their dominance. After the early exchange of possession, England capitalised on a break by Feaunati, feeding Kildunne for the opening score. Five minutes later, Kabeya linked with Jones to exploit a defensive lapse and extend the lead.
The forwards also contributed, with Clifford powering over from close range to guarantee the bonus point. In the second half, a well‑executed line‑out maul saw Cokayne dive over, and Bern’s power runs added two more tries, demonstrating England’s balanced attack across backs and forwards. Coach John Mitchell’s squad rotation paid dividends.
The inclusion of younger players such as Maud Muir, who broke through tackles before delivering the ball to Sing, and the debutant Mia Venner, who scored on just her third test cap, highlighted England’s depth. Veteran Marlie Packer, meanwhile, added experience with a try that underscored her longevity at the top level. Beyond the scoreline, the match carried several milestones.
Rhona Lloyd’s try marked a first for Scotland in a women‑only international at Murrayfield, a testament to the growing visibility of the women’s game. England’s captain Meg Jones, who also contributed a try, praised her side’s adaptability, noting that the players “adapted today” and “were relentless.” England’s victory propels them to the top of the Six Nations table, sitting ahead of France on points difference. The win also serves as a confidence boost after a narrow victory over Ireland in the opening round, where England’s forwards had been criticised for being “rusty.” Former World Cup champion Maggie Alphonsi lauded the forward pack’s performance, saying they “absolutely owned it” and that the team displayed a “really good power game.” The broader tournament saw France overturn Wales with a 38-7 win in Cardiff, moving the French side into second place, while Ireland’s 57-20 triumph over Italy secured them third. These results underline the competitive landscape of women’s rugby in Europe, with England currently setting the benchmark.
In summary, England’s twelve‑try demolition of Scotland was a masterclass in attacking rugby, resilience in the face of injuries, and a showcase of emerging talent. The Red Roses’ blend of experience, power, and speed left the Scottish side with a mountain to climb in future fixtures, while the enthusiastic Murrayfield crowd witnessed a historic night for both nations’ women’s rugby programs.