England's women's rugby side, the Red Roses, delivered a spectacular display at Ashton Gate, overwhelming Wales with a ten‑try, 62‑24 victory in the 2026 Women’s Six Nations. The match opened explosively, with Meg Jones and Marlie Packer each crossing the line twice, setting the tone for a dominant performance that saw England maintain a flawless record in the tournament after their third consecutive win.
The scoring barrage began just six minutes in when debutant Maddie Feaunati broke through the Welsh defence and sprinted into the 22, grounding the ball for the first try. Helena Rowland added the conversion, giving England an early 7‑0 lead. Shortly thereafter, Millie David, another newcomer, collected a long pass from Holly Aitchison, sliced through a tired Welsh backline and touched down, extending the lead to 14‑0.
David’s moment of glory was cut short when a head‑injury assessment forced her off the field, but her contribution had already helped England build momentum. Wales responded with resilience. Scrum‑half Keira Bevan snatched a loose ball from the base of a ruck, found a gap and powered over, then slotted her own conversion to bring the score to 12‑7. The Welsh side, however, could not sustain the pressure.
England’s flanker Marlie Packer powered over for a second try, and centre Meg Jones followed with a dazzling solo effort that secured a bonus‑point try, both conversions taken by Rowland. Wales managed a further try from hooker Jones after a well‑executed line‑out, but the gap continued to widen. At the halftime whistle, England led 29‑12.
The first half had featured a blend of power, speed and tactical acumen from the Red Roses. England’s back row, particularly Packer, imposed a physical presence, while the backline displayed clinical finishing. The Welsh side, though outmatched, showed flashes of improvement, especially in their handling and support play. The second half saw England continue to pile on points.
Hooker Amy Cokayne broke away from a rolling maul to score, with Rowland adding the conversion. Shortly after, Welsh full‑back Kayleigh Powell received a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on, reducing Wales to fourteen men and further tilting the contest in England’s favour.
Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald capitalised on the numerical advantage, sprinting to the corner for a try, which replacement Zoe Harrison converted. Jess Breach, who had come on from the bench, added another try, again converted by Harrison. England’s depth was evident as replacements like Moloney‑MacDonald and Maud Muir, who later crossed for a try, made decisive contributions.
Wales managed a late consolation try from flanker Seren Lockwood, securing a bonus point for the visitors, but the final tally remained a decisive 62‑24. Marlie Packer was named player of the match. In her post‑match interview with the BBC she praised her teammates and highlighted the significance of playing in front of a sold‑out crowd at Ashton Gate.
"Wearing this shirt is an honour, and hearing the roar of the fans fuels us," she said. She also emphasized the importance of the team environment, noting that the supportive camp allows the Red Roses to produce high‑quality rugby consistently.
Wales head coach Sean Lynn reflected on the performance, acknowledging the character shown by his side despite the heavy defeat. "A year ago we might have folded, but the girls fought back, scored two tries and earned a bonus point. That shows real character," he told the BBC. He also admitted disappointment at conceding 62 points, but recognised England’s clinical execution.
The broader context of the championship saw the tournament’s narrative shift dramatically after the France‑Ireland clash in the Stade Marcel‑Michelin. France’s 26‑7 win over Ireland demonstrated the unforgiving nature of test rugby: efficiency and composure outweigh fleeting moments of brilliance. Ireland had dominated large portions of the first half, with Aoife Wafer’s powerful carries and several near‑misses, but missed opportunities—including disallowed tries and a faltering kicking game—proved costly. The defeat left Ireland trailing the joint leaders, England and France, as the competition moved toward a climactic finish.
Meanwhile, in Italy, the Azzurre celebrated Silvia Turani’s 50th cap by delivering a masterclass in high‑tempo, precision rugby against Scotland. Italy’s 41‑14 victory highlighted their attacking fluency and defensive solidity, leaving Scotland scrambling after the loss of captain Rachel Malcolm to injury and a cascade of further setbacks. The Italian side’s ability to execute set‑pieces and sustain pressure underscored their rising stature in the women’s game. Overall, the Red Roses’ ten‑try demolition of Wales not only reinforced England’s dominance in the 2026 Women’s Six Nations but also showcased the depth of talent emerging across the tournament.
With a blend of seasoned internationals and promising newcomers, England appears poised to continue their unbeaten run, while other nations will look to tighten their defence and capitalise on the lessons learned from both triumphs and setbacks as the championship progresses toward its decisive rounds.