England’s women’s national side, the Red Roses, delivered a spectacular performance at Ashton Gate, overwhelming Wales with a ten‑try, 62‑24 victory in the Women’s Six Nations. The match opened with a burst of energy as England surged ahead within the first six minutes.
Meg Jones and Marlie Packer each crossed the try‑line twice, anchoring a dominant display that saw England claim their third consecutive win and maintain a perfect record in the tournament. The opening salvo came when debutant Maddie Feaunati broke through the Welsh defence, driving her team deep into the opposition’s 22‑meter area. She finished the move with a close‑range try, and Helena Rowland promptly added the conversion, putting England ahead early. Six minutes later, Millie David, another newcomer, collected a long pass from Holly Aitchison and sprinted to the try‑line, extending the lead.
Unfortunately for David, her day was cut short after she failed a head‑injury assessment, but her contribution helped cement England’s early momentum. Wales responded with determination. Scrum‑half Keira Bevan snatched a quick ball from the base of a ruck, slipped through a gap and scored, then converted her own try to narrow the deficit to 12‑7. The Welsh side showed flashes of resilience, but England’s relentless pressure soon re‑asserted dominance.
Flanker Marlie Packer forced her way over for a try, followed by a solo effort from centre Meg Jones, which secured a bonus‑point try and was converted by Rowland on her first attempt. Wales also managed a try from hooker Jones after a well‑executed line‑out, but the gap continued to widen. By halftime, the Red Roses led 29‑12, thanks to a thrilling sequence that began with Jones and involved winger Claudia Moloney‑MacDonald and Ellie Kildunne.
The second half saw England maintain their attacking fluency. Hooker Amy Cokayne broke away from a rolling maul to score, with Rowland adding the two conversion points. Wales suffered a setback when full‑back Kayleigh Powell received a yellow card for a deliberate knock‑on, further tilting the balance in England’s favour.
Moloney‑MacDonald capitalised on the numerical advantage, finishing a sweeping move in the corner. Replacement Jess Breach then crossed for England’s eighth try, converted by fellow substitute Zoe Harrison. After Powell’s return, England continued to pile on points: Packer and Maud Muir each added a try, both successfully converted by Harrison, while Wales’ flanker Lewis managed a consolation try.
The final try of the match came from Wales’ Seren Lockwood, who secured a bonus point for the visitors as the clock wound down. Marlie Packer was named player of the match.
In her 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. It means everything to put on a show for the fans and to see these stadiums filled. 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 encounter: “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.
I can’t fault their character. We’re disappointed to concede 62 points, but England were clinical and deserved the win.” The broader Six Nations narrative continued to evolve on the same weekend. In the Stade Marcel‑Michelin, France turned a three‑horse race into a direct showdown with England, defeating Ireland 26‑7. The French side demonstrated the hard‑nosed efficiency required in test rugby, while Ireland, despite periods of inventive and dominant play, were undone by errors and a faltering kicking game.
The result left France level with England at the top of the table, setting up a climactic finish to the championship. Ireland’s first‑half display was marked by intense pressure and powerful ball‑carrying from Aoife Wafer. Yet, despite crossing the line four times in the opening 40 minutes, only one try was awarded after a contentious decision involving Cliodhna Moloney‑MacDonald.
Disallowed scores for Brittany Hogan and Emily Lane, combined with a spectacular try‑saving tackle by Anaïs Grando, left the score tied at 7‑7 at halftime. The missed opportunities proved costly in a match where every point mattered. Further south, at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Italy produced a masterclass in high‑tempo, clinical rugby, dismantling Scotland 41‑14.
The match celebrated the 50th cap of pioneering centre Silvia Turani, whose leadership helped the Azzurre execute a precise, razor‑sharp game plan that left the contest decided well before the final whistle. Scotland, hampered by the late withdrawal of captain Rachel Malcolm and a spate of injuries, struggled to match Italy’s ambition and accuracy, highlighting the growing gap between the two sides. Overall, the round of Six Nations fixtures showcased England’s overwhelming firepower, France’s disciplined efficiency, and Italy’s rising prowess, while Wales and Ireland demonstrated resilience despite heavy defeats.
The tournament’s trajectory now points toward a thrilling conclusion, with the Red Roses and Les Bleues locked in a battle for supremacy and the remaining teams seeking to close the gap in the remaining matches.