England’s women’s rugby side, popularly known as the Red Roses, delivered a spectacular performance against Wales in the Women's Six Nations, crossing the try line ten times in a commanding 62‑24 win. The match, held at Ashton Gate, saw a host of England players get on the scoresheet, with Meg Jones and Marlie Packer each registering a brace.
Their contributions, alongside a slew of other try‑scorers, underscored England’s relentless attacking flair and defensive solidity, cementing their perfect record in the tournament after a third successive victory. From the opening whistle, England announced their intentions. Within the first six minutes, debutant Maddie Feaunati broke through the Welsh defence, sprinting into the 22‑metre area and grounding the ball for the opening try. Helena Rowland promptly added the conversion, giving the hosts an early 7‑0 lead.
Just minutes later, Millie David, another newcomer, collected a long pass from Holly Aitchison, powered past the Welsh line and scored her first international try. Unfortunately for David, the celebration was cut short when a head‑injury assessment forced her off the field, but her early impact highlighted England’s depth and the confidence the coaching staff places in emerging talent. Wales, refusing to be overwhelmed, responded quickly. Scrum‑half Keira Bevan snatched a ball from the base of a ruck, spotted a gap, and darted over for a try.
Demonstrating composure, she also converted her own effort, narrowing the score to 12‑7 and showing that the visitors could still threaten the English line. However, England’s momentum was unstoppable.
Flanker Marlie Packer powered over for a try, and shortly after, centre Meg Jones produced a dazzling solo run, slicing through the Welsh defence to claim another try and secure the bonus‑point try. Rowland’s conversion from the touchline was flawless, extending the lead to 19‑7. The first half continued to tilt heavily in England’s favour. Hooker Amy Cokayne broke away from a rolling maul to touch down, with Rowland again converting, pushing the score to 26‑7.
A crucial moment came when Wales full‑back Kayleigh Powell was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on, temporarily reducing the Welsh defensive options. England seized the opportunity: Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald finished a well‑timed move in the corner, and replacement wing Jess Breach added another try, both conversions taken by Zoe Harrison. By the break, England led 29‑12, a lead built on a blend of power, precision, and opportunistic play. The second half saw England maintain their dominance.
Flanker Packer added a second try, and prop Maud Muir crossed the line, each conversion again handled by Harrison, taking the tally to ten tries. Wales managed to add a late consolation try through hooker Jones, who capitalised on a line‑out set‑piece, but the final whistle confirmed a 62‑24 result, granting England a bonus‑point and a flawless start to the championship.
Marlie Packer was named player of the match, and in her post‑match interview with the BBC she praised the squad’s resilience and the support of the crowd. "We’re really pleased. Wales gave us a tough game and have improved massively.
Our young squad stepped up and I’m proud of their performance," Packer said. She highlighted the significance of playing in front of a sold‑out Ashton Gate crowd, noting that the atmosphere fuels the team’s ambition to deliver entertaining rugby for fans across the nation.
Wales head coach Sean Lynn reflected on his side’s effort, emphasizing character over the result. "I asked the girls for character today. A year ago we might have flopped, but they fought back with two tries and earned a bonus point. We’re disappointed to concede 62 points, but England were clinical," he admitted.
His comments underscored the growing competitiveness of the Welsh women’s programme and the belief that experience will translate into tighter contests in future fixtures. Beyond the England‑Wales clash, the Six Nations tournament continued to produce dramatic narratives. In the Stade Marcel‑Michelin, France faced Ireland in a match that reshaped the championship landscape. France’s 26‑7 victory demonstrated the ruthless efficiency required at the highest level of test rugby.
While Ireland displayed moments of brilliance, including a sustained period of dominance led by the powerful running of Aoife Wafer, they ultimately faltered due to missed opportunities, disallowed tries, and a shaky kicking game. The result propelled France level with England at the summit of the table, setting up a tantalising showdown for the title. In Parma’s Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Italy celebrated Silvia Turani’s 50th cap by delivering a masterclass in high‑tempo, clinical rugby against Scotland.
The Azzurre’s precision and tactical acumen were evident as they dismantled the Scottish side 41‑14. Scotland, hampered by the late withdrawal of captain Rachel Malcolm and a spate of injuries, struggled to match Italy’s intensity. The Italian performance highlighted the growing depth of women’s rugby across Europe, with teams like Italy and France challenging the traditional dominance of England and Wales.
Overall, the Women's Six Nations 2026 has thus far showcased a blend of established powerhouses and emerging challengers. England’s flawless start, buoyed by a ten‑try outburst against Wales, underscores their status as the benchmark for excellence. Yet the tournament remains wide open, with France’s resurgence and Italy’s rising standards promising a thrilling climax as the teams vie for the coveted championship trophy. The competition continues to attract growing audiences, both in stadiums and via Sky Sports’ live broadcasts, reflecting the expanding popularity and professionalisation of women’s rugby worldwide.