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 and finishing with a commanding 62-24 win. The match, held at Ashton Gate, showcased the depth and talent of the English side, with several players making their mark on the scoreboard. The opening minutes set the tone. Within the first six minutes, debutant Maddie Feaunati burst through the Welsh defense, sprinting into the 22 and grounding the ball for a try.
Helena Rowland added the conversion, giving England an early lead. Just moments later, Millie David, another newcomer, collected a long pass from Holly Aitchison and raced to the try line, extending the margin. Although David later had to leave the field after failing a head injury assessment, her early contribution underscored England's attacking fluency.
Wales responded with resilience. Scrum-half Keira Bevan snatched a ball from the base of a ruck, exploited a gap, and crossed for a try, then converted her own effort to bring the score to 12-7. The Welsh side showed flashes of quality, but England's relentless pressure soon reasserted dominance.
Flanker Marlie Packer powered over the line, and centre Meg Jones followed with a brilliant solo run that secured the bonus-point try. Rowland successfully kicked the conversion from close range. Wales managed a well-executed line‑out move that saw hooker Jones touch down, but the Red Roses continued to pile on points. By halftime, England had built a comfortable 29-12 lead.
The first‑half surge was driven by a fluid attack that involved winger Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald and fly‑half Ellie Kildunne, both of whom helped create space for the try‑scorers. The momentum carried into the second half, where England’s forward pack continued to dominate the breakdowns and mauls.
Hooker Amy Cokayne broke away from a rolling maul to score, and Rowland added the conversion, further widening the gap. Wales suffered a setback when full‑back Kayleigh Powell received a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on, reducing their defensive options.
Moloney‑MacDonald capitalised on the ensuing turnover, finishing a sweeping move in the corner. Replacement centre Jess Breach added another try, with Zoe Harrison converting. After Powell’s temporary dismissal, England pressed their advantage, with Packer and newcomer Maud Muir each crossing for tries that were again converted by Harrison. Wales managed a late consolation try through flanker Seren Lockwood, securing a bonus point, but the final whistle confirmed England’s 62 points – a testament to their clinical execution and depth of talent.
Marlie Packer was named player of the match. In her interview with the BBC, she praised the team's performance and the support of the crowd: "Wales gave us a tough game and have improved massively. Our young squad stepped up, and I’m proud of the girls. Wearing this shirt is an honour, and playing in front of a packed Ashton Gate is incredible.
Selling out stadiums means everything to us, and we want to give the fans a performance they’ll remember. Being part of the Red Roses creates a great environment that lets 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: "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." The broader Six Nations context shifted after this fixture. In another high‑profile encounter at the Stade Marcel‑Michelin, France defeated Ireland 26-7, turning the tournament into a direct showdown between the traditional powerhouses.
France’s efficient, disciplined play contrasted with Ireland’s moments of brilliance that were ultimately undone by missed opportunities and a faltering kicking game. The result left France level with England at the top of the table, setting up a thrilling finale. Ireland’s earlier match against France had seen them dominate early, with Aoife Wafer’s powerful carries and a series of tries that were largely disallowed.
Disallowed scores for Brittany Hogan and Emily Lane, along with a spectacular try‑saving tackle by Anaïs Grando, left the Irish side with only one try at halftime. The missed chances proved costly in a tightly contested game. Further down the tournament, Italy delivered a masterclass in high‑tempo, clinical rugby at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, crushing Scotland 41-14.
The match celebrated the 50th cap of pioneering Italian centre Silvia Turani, whose leadership helped the Azzurre execute a precise, attacking game plan. Scotland, hampered by the late withdrawal of captain Rachel Malcolm and several injuries, struggled to match Italy’s intensity and accuracy. Overall, the Women's Six Nations 2026 has highlighted the growing competitiveness and professionalism of women’s rugby across Europe.
England’s ten‑try demolition of Wales not only reinforced their status as tournament favorites but also showcased the depth of talent emerging from the Red Roses program. As the championship progresses, fans can anticipate more high‑stakes clashes, with England, France, and other rising nations vying for the coveted title.