England’s women’s rugby side, the Red Roses, delivered a spectacular performance at Ashton Gate, overwhelming Wales with ten tries in a 62‑24 victory that cemented their perfect record in the 2026 Women’s Six Nations. The match opened with a burst of energy as Meg Jones and Marlie Packer each crossed the try line twice, showcasing the depth and talent of England’s backline. From the first whistle, England signalled its intent. Within six minutes, debutant Maddie Feaunati broke through the Welsh defence, sprinting into the 22‑meter area before grounding the ball for the opening score.
Helena Rowland promptly added the conversion, putting the hosts ahead early. Just moments later, another newcomer, Millie David, collected a long pass from Holly Aitchison and raced down the wing to score her own try, extending the lead. Unfortunately for David, her night was cut short after she failed a head‑injury assessment and had to leave the field. Wales responded with resilience.
Scrum‑half Keira Bevan snatched a quick ball from the base of a ruck, exploited a gap in the English line and grounded the ball herself, then slotted the conversion to make it 12‑7. The Welsh side showed flashes of promise, with hooker Jones finding the line‑out and scoring, and flanker Lewis adding a try that demonstrated that they were not merely spectators. However, England’s momentum was unstoppable. Flanker Marlie Packer powered over the line, followed by a dazzling solo effort from centre Meg Jones, who weaved through multiple defenders before touching down.
Rowland’s conversion from the first attempt gave England a comfortable cushion. The first half closed with England leading 29‑12 after a fluid attacking sequence that saw Jones start and finish a move involving winger Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald and play‑maker Ellie Kildunne.
The second half saw England maintain their dominance. Hooker Amy Cokayne peeled off the back of a rolling maul and scored, with Rowland adding the two points. Wales suffered a setback when full‑back Kayleigh Powell was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on, reducing their chances of a comeback. Moloney‑MacDonald seized the opportunity, finishing a move in the corner, while replacement Jess Breach added the eighth try for England, converted by substitute Zoe Harrison.
Marlie Packer and Maud Muir each added further tries, both successfully converted by Harrison, pushing the tally to ten. Wales managed one final try through lock Seren Lockwood, securing a bonus point but unable to narrow the gap significantly.
The match ended 62‑24, a comprehensive win that highlighted England’s clinical finishing, superior fitness, and depth across the squad. Player of the match, Marlie Packer, praised her teammates in a post‑match interview with the BBC.
She highlighted the improvement of the Welsh side, the pride of wearing the England jersey, and the significance of playing in front of a sold‑out crowd at Ashton Gate. Packer emphasized how the supportive environment of the Red Roses camp allows the players to thrive and deliver high‑quality rugby. Wales head coach Sean Lynn also spoke to the BBC, commending his players for showing character by fighting back to earn a bonus point despite the heavy defeat. He reflected on how a year earlier the team might have collapsed, but this performance demonstrated growth and resilience, even if conceding 62 points was a disappointment.
Beyond the England‑Wales fixture, the Women’s Six Nations continued to produce drama. In the Stade Marcel‑Michelin, France faced Ireland in a match that shifted the championship narrative from a three‑horse race to a direct showdown between the traditional powers. France’s 26‑7 win over Ireland was a masterclass in efficiency; despite Ireland’s creative flair and a period of dominance in the first half, they were undone by missed opportunities, including three disallowed tries and a faltering kicking game. The result leveled France with England at the top of the table, setting up a thrilling climax to the tournament.
Ireland’s earlier encounter with France was marked by a fierce first‑half display, with Aoife Wafer leading a powerful charge that saw the Irish side dominate possession. However, only one of four crossing attempts was converted, and disallowed scores for Brittany Hogan and Emily Lane, coupled with a spectacular try‑saving tackle by Anaïs Grando, left the Irish side with a missed chance to build a decisive lead. In Italy, the Azzurre celebrated the 50th cap of veteran centre Silvia Turani by delivering a clinical, high‑tempo performance against Scotland at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi. Italy’s precision and speed resulted in a 41‑14 victory, effectively sealing the match before the second half began.
Scotland, hampered by the late withdrawal of captain Rachel Malcolm and a series of injuries, struggled to match Italy’s intensity and accuracy, underscoring the widening gap between the two nations. Overall, the 2026 Women’s Six Nations has highlighted England’s continued supremacy, France’s resurgence, and the growing competitiveness of the tournament.
The Red Roses’ ten‑try demolition of Wales not only reinforced their unbeaten status but also showcased the depth of talent emerging in English women’s rugby, promising an exciting finish to the championship as the top teams vie for the coveted title.