England sweep aside Wales to continue dominant run

England secured a commanding 62-24 victory over Wales in the Women’s Six Nations, marking their 36th consecutive Test win and cementing a fifth straight Triple Crown. The match, played before a record crowd of 26,247 at Ashton Gate, showcased a relentless display of attacking prowess, with the Red Roses scoring 10 tries in total. Wales, meanwhile, suffered their 12th loss in 13 games, though two late tries earned them a hard-fought bonus point.

Breaking the Tries

The scoreboard reflected England’s offensive dominance, with Feaunati, David, M Packer (2), Jones (2), Cokayne, Moloney-MacDonald, Breach, and Muir contributing to the tally. Wales’ tries came from Bevan and Jones, while their conversions were split between Rowland and Harrison. Despite a resilient Welsh effort, England’s superior power and precision ultimately proved decisive.

Wales-born captain Meg Jones was pivotal in the first half, scoring twice—once after a dynamic run and another following a well-timed pass to Moloney-MacDonald. Feaunati and Packer added to the tally early, with Millie David netting her debut try just 13 minutes into the game. However, the Red Roses struggled with loose passes and handling errors, conceding nine penalties, two of which directly led to Welsh tries.

“We showed grit, intensity, and resilience in spades,” remarked head coach Sean Lynn before the match. “That’s what it takes to compete at this level.”

While England’s performance wasn’t flawless, their ability to maintain control without losing composure was key. The team capitalized on Wales’ mistakes, scoring a bonus point within the first 28 minutes and leading by 17 points at halftime. Despite setbacks, such as Sadia Kabeya’s early error and a foot race loss by Packer, the Red Roses remained unshaken. Their fifth consecutive try within the first 10 minutes underscored their relentless start.

Wales’ fightback in the second half included tries from Bethan Lewis and Seren Lockwood, but England’s 10th try from Maud Muir sealed the win. The visitors’ efforts to rally were commendable, yet they couldn’t match England’s clinical finishing. With the match outcome secured, the focus now shifts to England’s upcoming clash against Italy in Parma on 9 May, while Wales will face Ireland in Belfast later the same day.

Although the result left Wales with their eighth consecutive defeat, their performance was far from lackluster. A strong second-half push, including a 50% possession rate and effective line-out play, provided moments of hope. The team’s ability to score their highest tally against England was a testament to their resilience, even if it came too late to change the outcome.