England's women's rugby side, known as the Red Roses, delivered a spectacular performance against Wales in the 2026 Women’s Six Nations, crossing the try line ten times in a 62-24 win at Ashton Gate. The match showcased the depth of England's talent pool, with several players adding multiple scores and a host of newcomers making an immediate impact. The opening minutes set the tone. Within the first six minutes, debutant Maddie Feaunati broke through the Welsh defence, sprinting into the 22 and grounding the ball close to the line.
Helena Rowland promptly added the conversion, putting England ahead early. Just moments later, another newcomer, Millie David, received a long pass from Holly Aitchison, accelerated down the wing and touched down for a second try. David's day was cut short, however, after she failed a head‑injury assessment and had to leave the field. Wales responded with determination.
Scrum‑half Keira Bevan collected a loose ball at the base of a ruck, exploited a gap in the English line and scored a try, then converted it herself, narrowing the gap to 12-7. The Welsh side showed flashes of resilience, but England’s relentless pressure soon re‑asserted dominance. Flanker Marlie Packer, who would later be named player of the match, forced her way over for a try, and centre Meg Jones followed with a solo effort that secured England a bonus‑point try. Rowland added another conversion, while Welsh hooker Jones also managed to score from a well‑executed line‑out, keeping the contest lively.
By halftime, the Red Roses had built a comfortable 29-12 lead. The second half continued in a similar vein.
Hooker Amy Cokayne peeled off the back of a rolling maul to score, and Rowland again proved reliable with the kick. Wales suffered a setback when full‑back Kayleigh Powell was yellow‑carded for a deliberate knock‑on, further tilting the balance in England’s favour. Replacement winger Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald made the most of her minutes, finishing in the corner with a polished try, and Jess Breach added the eighth try for England, converted by substitute Zoe Harrison. The momentum was unstoppable; Packer and Maud Muir each crossed the line, both conversions again taken by Harrison.
Wales managed a consolation try through lock Seren Lockwood, but the final whistle confirmed a 62-24 triumph for England, securing their third consecutive win and maintaining a perfect record in the tournament. Marlie Packer, reflecting on the match in a post‑game interview with the BBC, praised her teammates and the atmosphere at Ashton Gate. She highlighted the importance of the growing fanbase, the pride of wearing the national jersey, and the supportive environment within the squad that enables such high‑quality performances. Wales head coach Sean Lynn acknowledged the character shown by his side despite the heavy loss.
He noted the progress the Welsh team has made over the past year and commended the Red Roses for their clinical execution. Beyond the England‑Wales fixture, the Six Nations week featured other pivotal games that reshaped the championship narrative.
In the Stade Marcel‑Michelin, France faced Ireland in a match that turned the tournament from a three‑horse race into a direct showdown between the traditional powerhouses. France emerged victorious, 26-7, demonstrating the efficiency that defines test‑level rugby. Ireland, despite moments of brilliance and a period of dominance early in the game, were undone by missed opportunities, including three disallowed tries and a faltering kicking game, ultimately missing out on a potential upset.
The Italian side also made headlines, celebrating the 50th cap of veteran centre Silvia Turani. Italy delivered a masterclass in high‑tempo, clinical rugby, dismantling Scotland 41-14 at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi. The Azzurre’s precision and ambition were evident throughout, while Scotland struggled after the late withdrawal of captain Rachel Malcolm and a series of injuries that left them unable to match Italy’s intensity. Overall, the Six Nations round highlighted England’s continued supremacy, France’s resurgence, and Italy’s emerging threat, setting up an exciting climax to the tournament as the remaining fixtures promise to determine the ultimate champion.