England’s women’s rugby side, popularly known as the Red Roses, delivered a spectacular performance at Ashton Gate, overwhelming Wales with ten tries in a 62‑24 rout that cemented their unbeaten run in the 2026 Women’s Six Nations. The match was highlighted by double‑try heroics from Meg Jones and Marlie Packer, while a host of other players crossed the line, showcasing the depth and dynamism of England’s squad.
The opening minutes set the tone. Within the first six minutes, debutant Maddie Feaunati broke through the Welsh defence, sprinting into the 22‑meter area and grounding the ball for the first try of the day. Helena Rowland promptly added the conversion, giving England an early lead.
Just moments later, another newcomer, Millie David, collected a long, looping pass from Holly Aitchison and raced down the flank to score her own try. Unfortunately for David, her promising debut was cut short after she failed a head‑injury assessment and was forced to leave the field. Wales, refusing to be dismissed, responded swiftly.
Scrum‑half Keira Bevan seized a loose ball from a ruck, darted through a gap in the English line and, in a display of composure, grounded the ball herself. Demonstrating versatility, Bevan then converted her own try, narrowing the deficit to 12‑7 and injecting belief into the Welsh side. England, however, continued to press.
Flanker Marlie Packer powered over the line, followed shortly by centre Meg Jones, who produced a dazzling solo run that secured a crucial bonus‑point try. Rowland’s conversion from the first attempt kept the momentum in England’s favour. Wales managed to add a try of their own when hooker Jones (not to be confused with Meg Jones) broke through a well‑executed line‑out move, but the gap continued to widen.
By halftime, the Red Roses held a commanding 29‑12 lead. The first half featured a fluid attacking sequence that began with Jones, involved winger Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald, and culminated in a finish by Ellie Kildunne, illustrating England’s ability to combine forward power with backline flair. The second half opened with hooker Amy Cokayne breaking away from a rolling maul to score, and Rowland added the two points with another successful conversion. Wales suffered a setback when full‑back Kayleigh Powell received a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on, temporarily reducing their defensive options.
England capitalised on the numerical advantage. Moloney‑MacDonald slotted a try in the corner, displaying impressive footwork and balance, while Jess Breach, coming off the bench, added the eighth try for England. Replacement Zoe Harrison took on the conversion duties, adding precision to the scoreboard. After Powell’s temporary dismissal, she returned to the field, but England’s on‑field rhythm was already well established.
Further tries followed in quick succession. Packer added a second try, and young prop Maud Muir crossed the line, both conversions again handled by Harrison.
Wales managed one final consolation try through flanker Seren Lockwood, which secured a bonus point for the visitors, but the damage was already done. Marlie Packer was named Player of the Match, and in her interview with the BBC she reflected on the team’s performance: "We’re really pleased. Wales gave us a tough game and have improved massively.
Our young squad stepped up today, and I’m proud of the girls' performance. Wearing this shirt is a massive honour, and playing in front of a sold‑out crowd at Ashton Gate was incredible. It means everything to see these stadiums filled, and we want to give the fans a performance they can enjoy. Being in camp with the Red Roses feels like being part of a great environment, which helps us produce this kind of product on the pitch." Wales head coach Sean Lynn also spoke to the BBC, focusing on the character his side displayed: "That’s what I asked the girls for today – character.
Twelve months ago we might have flopped, but they fought back with two tries and earned a bonus point. I can’t fault their character. We’re disappointed to have conceded 62 points, but England are a very good Red Roses side who were clinical." The match not only reinforced England’s dominance in the tournament but also highlighted the growing competitiveness of women’s rugby across the United Kingdom. The Six Nations fixtures for 2026 continue to draw significant viewership, with Sky Sports broadcasting live coverage and engaging fans through platforms like WhatsApp.
As the tournament progresses, England’s unbeaten record and high‑scoring capability set a benchmark for the other nations, while Wales will look to regroup, address defensive lapses, and build on the resilience they showed despite the heavy loss. Overall, the game was a showcase of skill, athleticism, and strategic execution, illustrating why the Red Roses are considered one of the premier forces in women’s rugby today. The combination of experienced veterans and emerging talent created a balanced, relentless attack that left the Welsh side struggling to contain the onslaught.
With the next round of matches looming, England will aim to maintain their perfect record, while Wales hopes to translate the lessons learned into tighter defensive structures and more cohesive attacking play in future fixtures.