England's Red Roses delivered a commanding performance against Scotland, securing a resounding 46-0 victory in their WXV tournament opener at Glasgow's DAM Health Stadium on Friday night.
The match saw England cross the whitewash eight times in a display of sheer dominance, with head coach Simon Middleton describing the performance as "a step in the right direction" for his developing squad.
First-Half Flourish Sets the Tone
The Red Roses established their authority early, with hooker Connie Powell touching down twice in the opening quarter. The relentless offensive continued as back-rower Maisy Allen and lock Rosie Galligan added further tries before the break, sending England into halftime with a comfortable 24-0 lead.
Second-Half Supremacy
England maintained their intensity after the interval, with Galligan securing her second try of the evening. The scoring continued through lock Sarah Beckett, replacement back-rower Maddie Feaunati, and a final try from wing Abby Dow, completing the comprehensive victory.
World Cup Preparations Accelerate
This match serves as crucial preparation for next year's Women's Rugby World Cup, which England will host. The Red Roses are determined to improve on their runner-up finish in the 2021 tournament, where they fell to New Zealand in the final.
Middleton emphasised the importance of building depth and experience: "We're trying to build a squad that's got experience and depth. We've got to make sure we're in the best possible place come the World Cup."
Looking Ahead
The Red Roses continue their WXV campaign against Canada next Friday in Auckland, followed by a final match against hosts New Zealand on November 4th. These fixtures provide vital opportunities to test themselves against world-class opposition ahead of the home World Cup.
Scotland, despite the heavy defeat, will take valuable lessons from facing one of the world's top teams as they continue their own development in women's rugby.
