England's women's rugby side, the Red Roses, delivered a spectacular performance at Ashton Gate, overwhelming Wales with a ten‑try, 62‑24 victory in the 2026 Women’s Six Nations. The match showcased the depth of England's talent pool, with several players crossing the try line and a flurry of supporting play that highlighted both individual brilliance and cohesive team strategy. From the opening whistle, England set the tone. Within the first six minutes, debutant Maddie Feaunati burst through the Welsh defence, sprinting into the 22 and grounding the ball close to the line.
Helena Rowland promptly added the conversion, putting the hosts ahead and signalling the intensity to come. Just moments later, another newcomer, Millie David, collected a long pass from Holly Aitchison, accelerated down the wing and scored, only to be forced off later after failing a head‑injury assessment. Her early impact, however, underscored England's willingness to trust young players in high‑pressure situations. Wales responded swiftly.
Scrum‑half Keira Bevan snatched a loose ball from a ruck, found a gap, and dived over for a try, converting her own effort to narrow the deficit to 12‑7. The Welsh side demonstrated resilience, refusing to be blown out in the early stages and showing that they could still threaten the English defence.
England’s response was relentless. Flanker Marlie Packer powered over the line, followed by centre Meg Jones, who executed a dazzling solo run that earned her a bonus‑point try. Rowland was flawless with her kicks, adding points from both conversions.
Wales managed to add a try of their own through hooker Jones, who capitalised on a well‑executed line‑out, but the English lead continued to widen. By halftime, the Red Roses held a comfortable 29‑12 advantage. The first half featured a spectacular sequence in which Meg Jones began a move that involved winger Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald and Ellie Kildunne, culminating in Jones finishing the attack with a try.
The fluidity of that play illustrated England’s ability to weave multiple phases together, creating space for their backs while maintaining a solid forward platform. The second half opened with hooker Amy Cokayne breaking away from a rolling maul to score, with Rowland again converting. The momentum shifted further when Welsh full‑back Kayleigh Powell received a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on, reducing Wales to fourteen men and providing England with a numerical advantage. Seizing the opportunity, Moloney‑MacDonald sprinted to the corner and touched down, while replacement Jess Breach added another try, converted by Zoe Harrison.
England’s bench made a significant impact, with Harrison’s accurate boot adding two more points. Wales managed to fight back through flanker Lewis, who scored, but the English side kept the pressure relentless. Marlie Packer and Maud Muir each added a try, both successfully converted by Harrison, pushing the total tally to ten.
In the closing minutes, Wales' Seren Lockwood crossed for a try, securing a bonus point for the visitors, but the result was already sealed. Post‑match, Marlie Packer was named player of the match.
Speaking to the BBC, she praised her teammates and the atmosphere at Ashton Gate: "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 sold‑out crowd is incredible.
We love being part of the Red Roses environment – it allows us to produce this kind of product on the pitch." Wales head coach Sean Lynn also reflected on the game, emphasizing character: "I asked the girls for character today. A year ago we might have flopped, but they fought back with two tries and secured a bonus point. We’re disappointed to have conceded 62 points, but the Red Roses were clinical." The broader Six Nations context shifted dramatically after the England‑Wales clash. In the Stade Marcel‑Michelin, France defeated Ireland 26‑7, turning the tournament into a head‑to‑head showdown between the traditional powers.
France’s win brought them level with England at the top of the table, setting up a climactic finish to the championship. Ireland, despite moments of brilliance, were undone by missed opportunities, including three disallowed tries and a faltering kicking game. Meanwhile, in Italy, the Azzurre celebrated Silvia Turani’s 50th cap with a masterclass against Scotland, winning 41‑14 at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
Italy’s high‑tempo, precise play left Scotland scrambling, especially after the late withdrawal of captain Rachel Malcolm and a series of injuries that hampered their competitiveness. Overall, the England‑Wales encounter highlighted the Red Roses' depth, tactical acumen, and the growing popularity of women’s rugby. The ten‑try display not only reinforced England’s dominance in the tournament but also underscored the importance of nurturing young talent, maintaining a high‑performance culture, and delivering entertaining rugby for a rapidly expanding fan base.