Champions England off to eight-try winning start

ENGLAND WOMEN.........52 SCOTLAND WOMEN.......10

BACK-TO-BACK Grand Slam winners England dominated their Women’s Six Nations opener against Scotland, securing an eight-try victory.

The Red Roses claimed a firsthalf bonus point in Doncaster, with Jess Breach’s incredible solo score the pick of their five tries.

Scotland offered some resistance and Helen Nelson claimed three points.

But England crossed three more times in the second half and Hannah Smith scored Scotland’s only try.

Bulldozing Poppy Cleall led the way from number eight and her deft hands helped twin sister Bryony barrel through Scottish defenders, before Marlie Packer finished off the move with a pick and go across the tryline.

England recycled quick ball from the base of the ruck and the pressure told for Scotland as Leanne Riley barged her way through defenders to score England’s second.

In such a dominant victory discipline may still be of concern for head coach Simon Middleton given his side conceded 14 penalties, with an early one giving Scotland fly-half Nelson her first three points.

More worrying than penalties for Middleton were yellow cards awarded to Poppy Cleall and Lark Davies in the second half.

As well as fly-half Rowland looking to prove she can fill the void left by the retired Katy Daley-Mclean, Lagi Tuima was auditioning for a starting place in England’s midfield.

The centre made an impressive counter-attacking break, before Poppy Cleall sent the ball to Bryony, who scored the bonus-point try on her first foray into international rugby for two years.

Repeated infringements from Scotland in the run-up to that score led to a yellow card for centre Lisa Thomson.

Breach made the most of the numerical advantage with a characteristic moment of individual magic.

ENGLAND WOMEN: Tries: Packer, Riley, Davies, B Cleall, Breach, Rowland, P Cleall, penalty. Cons: Scarratt 5. SCOTLAND WOMEN: Try: Smith. Con: Nelson. Pen:

Nelson.