England sweep aside Wales to continue dominant run
England ran in 10 tries as they continued their dominance of the Women's Six Nations with a comfortable 62-24 victory over Wales in front of a record crowd at Ashton Gate. The Red Roses completed a record-extending 36th consecutive Test win, securing a fifth Triple Crown in a row, in front of 26,247 fans in Bristol. For Wales, this was a 12th defeat in 13 Tests, though two late tries did at least mean they secured a much-celebrated bonus point.
Wales-born England captain Meg Jones scored twice in the first half - dancing through to splash over on the right flank then crossing on the stroke of half-time after her pass had freed Claudia Moloney-MacDonald down the left. Back rows Maddie Feaunati and Marlie Packer had already plunged over for tries - either side of a score for winger Millie David just 13 minutes into her international debut. The Red Roses did not have things all their own way in the opening 40 minutes, with Wales hitting back through Keira Bevan and a bulldozing Kelsey Jones.
But they overwhelmed their visitors in the second half, with Amy Cokayne, Moloney-MacDonald and Jess Breach crossing over before Packer bagged her second of the afternoon. Wales rallied late in the game and tries from captain Bethan Lewis and Seren Lockwood - either side of England's 10th from Maud Muir - gave their fans something to cheer. England, who are searching for a record eighth consecutive Six Nations title, next face Italy in Parma on 9 May, with Wales facing Ieland in Belfast later that day.
Loose passes, handling errors, nine penalties conceded with two directly leading to Wales tries. At times, they were guilty of simply over-playing. But like all great teams, England - imperfectly - got the job done without ever losing control.
They could have scored three times in the opening 10 minutes but had to settle for one. Sadia Kabeya spilled the ball from a few metres out and Packer lost a foot race with Bevan after charging down a kick. Still, this was the fifth consecutive match in which England have scored inside 10 minutes.