England's women's national rugby team, the Red Roses, delivered a spectacular performance at Ashton Gate, overwhelming Wales with a total of ten tries in a 62-24 victory that underscored their dominance in the 2026 Women’s Six Nations. The match opened with an early surge as Meg Jones and Marlie Packer each crossed the line twice, setting the tone for a game that would see England extend their perfect record in the tournament with a third successive win.
The scoring barrage began just six minutes after kickoff when newcomer Maddie Feaunati broke through the Welsh defence, sprinting into the 22 and grounding the ball close to the line. Helena Rowland added the conversion, putting England ahead 7-0. Six minutes later, debutant Millie David took advantage of a long pass from Holly Aitchison, outrunning the opposition to score her first international try.
Although David’s day was cut short by a failed head injury assessment, her contribution helped England build early momentum. Wales responded with resilience. Scrum-half Keira Bevan collected the ball from a ruck, spotted a gap and powered over for a try, then personally slotted the conversion to narrow the gap to 12-7.
The Welsh side showed flashes of quality, with hooker Jones also finding the try line from a well-rehearsed line-out move, but England’s relentless attack soon re‑asserted control. England’s flanker Marlie Packer added another try before centre Meg Jones showcased her individual brilliance with a solo run that secured the bonus‑point try, again converted by Rowland. By halftime the Red Roses had built a comfortable 29-12 lead, a lead that was cemented by a fluid attacking sequence involving winger Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald and play‑maker Ellie Kildunne. The second half continued in the same vein.
Hooker Amy Cokayne peeled off the back of a rolling maul to touch down, with Rowland adding the conversion. Shortly after, Wales full‑back Kayleigh Powell was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on, further hampering the visitors' chances. Moloney‑MacDonald capitalised on the extra space, finishing a crisp move in the corner, while replacement Jess Breach added her own try, converted by fellow substitute Zoe Harrison.
England’s depth shone through as Packer and Maud Muir each scored, both conversions taken by Harrison, pushing the tally to ten tries. Wales managed a late consolation try through Seren Lockwood, which secured them a bonus point, but the result was never in doubt.
Marlie Packer was named player of the match. In her post‑match interview with the BBC she praised her teammates and the atmosphere at Ashton Gate: "We’re really pleased. Wales gave us a tough game and have improved massively. Our young squad stepped up and I’m proud of the girls’ performance.
Wearing this shirt is a massive honour, and playing in front of a sold‑out crowd is incredible. We want to give the fans a great show and we love being part of the Red Roses environment – it helps us produce this kind of product on the pitch." Wales head coach Sean Lynn also reflected on the match, highlighting the character shown by his side: "That’s what I asked for today – character.
A year ago we might have flopped, but the girls fought back with two tries and earned a bonus point. We were disappointed to concede 62 points, but the Red Roses were clinical." The broader Six Nations landscape shifted later in the week as France faced Ireland at the Stade Marcel‑Michelin. France emerged victorious 26-7, turning what had been a three‑horse race into a direct showdown between the traditional powerhouses.
While Ireland displayed periods of inventive, dominant rugby, costly errors and missed opportunities – including three disallowed tries – allowed the French side to maintain composure and secure the win. The result brought France level with England at the summit of the table, setting up a climactic finale to the championship. In another notable fixture, Italy celebrated the 50th cap of pioneering centre Silvia Turani with a masterclass performance against Scotland at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi. Italy’s Azzurre executed a high‑tempo, clinical game plan, dismantling the Scottish side 41-14.
Scotland, hampered by the late withdrawal of captain Rachel Malcolm and a spate of injuries, were unable to match Italy's ambition and accuracy, highlighting the growing gap between the two nations. Overall, the England‑Wales match not only showcased the Red Roses' attacking firepower but also reinforced their status as the benchmark for women's rugby in Europe.
With a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging talent, England demonstrated depth, resilience, and a relentless desire to win. Their next challenge will be to maintain this momentum against the other top contenders, while Wales will look to rebuild and apply the lessons learned from a high‑scoring defeat. The 2026 Women’s Six Nations continues to deliver compelling narratives, dramatic turnarounds, and a showcase of the sport’s increasing professionalism and global appeal.