England secured a dominant victory over Italy, winning 38-5 in their opening match of the Women’s Six Nations. The Red Roses stormed ahead with five first-half tries, though they struggled to maintain the same level of fluency after the break, managing only one more score in the final minutes.
With this victory, England extended their winning streak to 21 matches, dating back to their World Cup final defeat in 2022. While the performance was strong, the second-half drop in intensity may be a point of concern as the team looks ahead to the Rugby World Cup later in the year.
The head coach acknowledged that the team “left a bit out there” but emphasized that building pressure on Italy was the main objective. England’s captain expressed pride in the team’s efforts and the support from the home crowd, noting that despite the first half being impressive, the second half lacked the same execution.
A combination of Italian nerves and England’s clinical play led to a bonus-point try being secured within 30 minutes. An early mistake from Italy gifted England an attacking opportunity, leading to Mia Venner’s opening try just three minutes in, converted by Emma Sing. Soon after, Emily Scarratt added a second, followed by a penalty try awarded due to Italy’s Laura Gurioli being penalized. Another high kick from Holly Aitchison allowed Claudia MacDonald to capitalize and score.
Despite England’s dominance, Italy showed resilience. Their first significant attacking opportunity resulted in Francesca Sgorbini forcing her way over the try line. England responded with Amy Cokayne scoring just before halftime, securing a commanding lead. However, what seemed like a straightforward path to a runaway victory stalled, with England failing to score again until the final two minutes of the match.
Italy nearly added a second try when Sgorbini went over again, but an infringement in the buildup ruled it out. England rotated their squad in the second half, bringing in fresh legs, including the impactful Hannah Botterman and Sarah Bern. The pace of the game slowed, leading to a scrappy contest. A potential try for Sadia Kabeya was disallowed for a forward pass, adding to England’s frustration.
With the clock winding down, Ellie Kildunne entered the game, bringing energy to the home crowd. Eventually, Emma Sing crossed for a final try, completing an 11-point personal haul and sealing the victory. While the result was never in doubt, the second-half performance suggested areas for improvement as the tournament progresses.
Italy’s players took pride in their defensive improvements after halftime, noting that their goal was to focus on the basics and maintain discipline. England, on the other hand, will use this match to fine-tune their combinations ahead of tougher tests later in the competition.
The coaching staff emphasized the importance of squad planning, confirming selections for the next match against Wales. The team is focused on refining their systems in preparation for the World Cup later this year. While the win was comprehensive, the performance highlighted areas where England will need to sharpen up as they continue their campaign.
The victory set the tone for the tournament, but England knows that stronger challenges await. The Six Nations serves as a crucial period for development, ensuring that when the World Cup arrives, the team is operating at full capacity. For now, the Red Roses remain in control, determined to build on this opening triumph.
