Red Roses beat Wales in Gloucester

9 Apr 2022 | 5 min |

The Red Roses scored ten tries at Kingsholm Stadium en route to a 58-5 win over Wales in the TikTok Women's Six Nations.

They are now unbeaten in 21 consecutive Tests.

Simon Middleton's side started tentatively, unable to impose their usual dominance early on, as Wales showed attacking promise through full back Kayleigh Powell while captain Siwan Lillicrap was at the heart of spoiling momentum at set piece.

Abby Dow left the field on the 14-minute mark due to injury, replaced by Ellie Kildunne, and the game's first try shortly followed. Scored by hooker Lark Davies off the back of a 10-metre driving lineout. Abbie Ward bagged England's second score seven minutes later, the lock hitting a hard line metres from the whitewash to barrel over, and Zoe Harrison's extras made it 12-0.

Wales soaked up pressure and disrupted England by forcing penalty turnovers each time they got close to the line. Undeterred, the Red Roses continued to attack relentlessly, and finally found their third try courtesy of Jess Breach. Making her first international appearance since May 2021, the winger was found wide in space, and rounded Powell before touching down in the corner. Harrison's conversion was successful, making it 19-0 at the break.

Half time stats showed just how competitive the Test was, the Red Roses beating just three more defenders than their opponents, making 16 more carries and 112 more metres. They boasted slightly more possession - with 58% - whilst the majority of the match was played in the Welsh half - 65%.

England started the second half brightly, securing the bonus point try a few minutes in - through another Davies score - a carbon copy of her first. That was the catalyst behind a lift in tempo as Breach crossed for her second on 52 minutes, thanks to a pinpoint pass from Harrison that found her unmarked, and able to dot down for the easiest of tries.

Sarah Bern bagged the Red Roses' sixth moments later, a smart set play move off a five metre lineout handing her a mismatch on the blindside and an easy path to the line. Harrison's conversion made it 36-0.

Natalia John was shown a yellow card as the match passed the hour, before Ward and Alex Matthews combined in open play down the right flank for the latter to score, bouncing off two Welsh defenders en route to the line.

England looked set to record a second consecutive game without conceding a point, so strong was their defence throughout, but it was not to be as replacement Kelsey Jones powered over for a well-deserved try.

In the final minutes of the match Shaunagh Brown, Emily Scarratt and captain Sarah Hunter scored a try each to confirm a comprehensive win.

Teams

Red Roses

15. Abigail Dow, 14. Jess Breach, 13. Emily Scarratt (VC), 12. Helena Rowland, 11. Sarah McKenna, 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Lucy Packer, 1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Lark Davies, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Poppy Cleall, 5. Abbie Ward, 6. Alex Matthews, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Sarah Hunter (C).

Finishers

16. Connie Powell, 17. Maud Muir, 18. Shaunagh Brown, 19. Rosie Galligan, 20. Vicky Fleetwood, 21. Natasha Hunt, 22. Amber Reed, 23. Ellie Kildunne.

Wales

15. Kayleigh Powell, 14. Lisa Neumann, 13. Hannah Jones, 12. Kerin Lake, 11. Jasmine Joyce, 10. Robyn Wilkins, 9. Ffion Lewis, 1. Gwenllian Pyrs, 2. Carys Phillips, 3. Donna Rose, 4. Sisilia Tuipulotu, 5. Gwen Crabb. 6. Siwan Lillicrap (C), 7. Alisha Butchers, 8. Sioned Harries.

Replacements

16. Kelsey Jones, 17. Cara Hope, 18. Cerys Hale, 19. Alex Callender, 20. Bethan Lewis, 21. Keira Baven, 22. Elinor Snowsill, 23. Natalia John.