England's women's rugby team, 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 62-24 triumph. The match, held at Ashton Gate, showcased the depth of talent in the English squad, with multiple players getting on the scoresheet and the team maintaining a flawless record in the tournament after securing their third consecutive win. The opening minutes set the tone for what would become a one-sided affair.
Within the first six minutes, England's debutant Maddie Feaunati broke through the Welsh defence, sprinting into the 22-meter area and grounding the ball for a try. Helena Rowland successfully added the conversion, giving England an early lead. Just moments later, another newcomer, Millie David, received a long pass from Holly Aitchison, accelerated past the Welsh backline and touched down. Although David's day was cut short after she failed a head injury assessment, her early contribution highlighted the fresh energy England brought to the field.
Wales responded quickly, refusing to be swept aside. Scrum-half Keira Bevan collected the ball from a ruck, spotted a gap and powered through to score, then demonstrated her versatility by converting her own try, narrowing the score to 12-7.
This early resilience kept the match competitive for a short while, but England's momentum was unstoppable. Flanker Marlie Packer added another try, and centre Meg Jones followed with a solo effort that not only extended the lead but also secured a bonus point for England. Rowland's conversion from her first attempt was flawless, and Wales managed to add a try of their own through hooker Jones after a well-executed line-out. By halftime, the Red Roses had built a comfortable 29-12 advantage, the result of a fluid attacking sequence that began with Jones, involved winger Claudia Moloney-MacDonald and culminated with Ellie Kildunne's support play.
The second half saw England continue to dominate. Hooker Amy Cokayne broke away from a rolling maul and grounded the ball, with Rowland again adding the two points. Wales suffered a setback when full‑back Kayleigh Powell received a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on, reducing their defensive options.
England capitalised immediately: Moloney-MacDonald finished a sweeping move in the corner, and replacement Jess Breach crossed for the eighth try, both conversions taken by substitute Zoe Harrison. Further tries came from Packer and Maud Muir, bookending a try from Welsh flanker Lewis.
Each was converted by Harrison, pushing England's total to ten tries. The match concluded with a late Welsh try by Seren Lockwood, which earned Wales a bonus point but could not overturn the substantial deficit. The final whistle confirmed a 62-24 victory for England, cementing their dominance in the tournament. Marlie Packer was named player of the match.
In her interview with the BBC she praised her teammates and the atmosphere: "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.
Wearing this shirt is an honour, and playing in front of a packed Ashton Gate is incredible. Seeing stadiums sell out means everything to us; we want to give the fans a show they enjoy. Being part of the Red Roses camp is a great environment and helps us produce this kind of product on the pitch." Wales head coach Sean Lynn also reflected on the encounter, highlighting character as the key takeaway: "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 context of the 2026 Six Nations saw the competition intensify. In France, a heated clash at the Stade Marcel‑Michelin turned the tournament into a head‑to‑head battle between the traditional powerhouses. France's 26-7 win over Ireland demonstrated the unforgiving nature of test rugby, where efficiency often outweighs flair.
Ireland displayed moments of brilliance, particularly through Aoife Wafer's powerful carries, but missed opportunities – including three disallowed tries and a shaky kicking game – cost them dearly. The result left France level with England at the top of the table, setting up a thrilling climax to the championship. Meanwhile, in Italy, the Azzurre celebrated Silvia Turani's 50th cap by delivering a masterclass against Scotland.
Italy's high‑tempo, precise play resulted in a 41-14 demolition, with the Italian side executing set‑piece moves and back‑line attacks with razor‑sharp accuracy. Scotland, hampered by the late withdrawal of captain Rachel Malcolm and a cascade of injuries, struggled to match Italy's intensity and were forced to watch a dominant performance unfold. Overall, the Women's Six Nations 2026 continues to showcase the growing depth and competitiveness of women's rugby across Europe. England's Red Roses have set a benchmark with their ten‑try display against Wales, while France and Italy have also demonstrated why they remain among the sport's elite.
As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more high‑stakes encounters, tactical battles, and unforgettable moments that will shape the future of women's rugby on the continent.