In the city where England’s men saw their grand slam hopes reduced to rubble, their women’s side continued to build an unstoppable momentum in their own bid for a Six Nations clean sweep. At a sun-drenched Cardiff Arms Park, England helped themselves to nine tries to overwhelm Wales.
On the Arms Park’s plastic pitch England looked the real deal. Abbie Scott had been handed the captaincy and the Harlequins lock was at the heart of a dominant display by their pack. Wales lost this fixture 63-0 two years ago. They at least had the consolation of their first tries in three games against England but there was a huge gap between them and the newly professionalised visitors.
Wales 21-13 England: talking points from the Six Nations international
It took barely 90 seconds before England’s pack worked the prop Sarah Bern over for the first try of the afternoon. The forwards and backs then sent Jess Breach over in the corner. The England pack rumbled forwards and Marlie Packer, who missed the victory over France, was driven over for a third try as the one-way traffic continued.
Katy Daley-Mclean looked like she had set up Breach’s second try with a towering kick to the corner but the try was ruled out for a knock-on in the build-up – however it was only a minor reprieve. Bern made a searing break for the Welsh 22 and the tight-head added a sidestep that left the Wales full-back Elinor Snowsill grasping at thin air.
Breach found room on the left-hand touchline after a burst through the middle by Rachael Burford. Breach, the former sevens player, has now scored an astonishing 16 tries in five 15-a-side internationals. England were attacking from all parts of the field but Wales at last got on the scoreboard when they cleverly worked the wing Jess Kavanagh over just before the break.
The score galvanised Wales. After the break they pinned England into their own half to test the defensive qualities of the Red Roses. But England rallied with a counterattack and Bern was denied a hat-trick when it was ruled that there had been a knock-on before she grounded the ball.
Cath O’Donnell scored a sixth try after another rolling maul and another consultation with TMO. The wing Abby Dow then found space to beat some weak Welsh tackling after a smart break by Daley-Mclean and Sarah Beckett took advantage of a disintegrating defence to score under the posts. Wales had another minor victory when the replacement prop Cerys Hale worked her way over for a try after a 26-phase move but England had the last word when Daley-Mclean scored with the final move of the match. Scott had warned that Wales were a “different beast” at home but there was only one side breathing fire on Sunday.