WALES COACH STAYS UPBEAT
IOAN Cunningham refused to be downcast after Wales were handed a second Six Nations defeat in a row. A 46-10 defeat at Ashton Gate followed their narrow defeat at home to Scotland last week.
Wales competed well for long periods, but England were clinical when chances presented themselves and the hosts ran in eight tries.
But head coach Cunningham remained in upbeat mood.
“I am very encouraged. If I am honest, I thought we left four or five tries out on the field today,” he said.
“It is showing what we can do. It is just about being a bit more clinical. “I am so proud of the effort. “We have just got to balance that up with having that composure at the right time and once that clicks we will be a tough team to stop.”
Wales failed to take their opportunities in the first half despite enjoying plenty of territory. And ultimately they were punished by the Red Roses’ pace and power.
An early penalty from Lleucu George and a well-taken try from replacement scrum-half Keira Bevan was all Wales had to show from a tough afternoon at Ashton Gate.
Wales went ahead early on through George’s penalty in front of the posts.
However, it would be the only time they would lead as England, despite a sloppy start, made their quality count.
The hosts responded in style as Abbie Dow sped through the Welsh defence before being hauled down just shy of the line. Maud Muir was on hand to cross and put England into the lead.
Zoe Aldcroft added a second shortly after and while Wales were their own worst enemy at times by spurning chances from scrums and lineouts in dangerous areas, they could rightly feel aggrieved by England’s third try.
As Sian Jones looked to pass the ball out the back of a ruck, her arm was slapped by Red Roses skipper Marlie Packer, sending the ball spilling forward into English arms.
From there, the hosts countered and the move was finished off by Hannah Botterman, with Lark AtkinDavies wrapping up the bonus point for England before half-time.
Wales desperately needed a response after the break but it was England who flew out of the traps, with Ellie Kildunne and Dow both scoring within five minutes of the restart.
But Cunningham’s side didn’t let their heads drop and finally got over the line through replacement Bevan, who took a free-kick quickly to dart past the English defence and under the posts. George converted.
England weren’t finished, however, as Rosie Galligan crossed and Kildunne sealed her brace in sensational style, managing to touch down in the corner under pressure from two defenders.
Alex Callender, Sisilia Tuipolotu and Alisha Butchers were all involved as Wales surged forward looking for a second try, but England held on for another big victory.
England head coach John Mitchell believes there is “massive growth” left in the Red Roses after they completed a second successive Guinness Six Nations bonus-point victory.
England top the table with maximum points ahead of their clash against Scotland next month.
“The game doesn’t always go for you in attack, so you have got to be good on the other side of the ball,” Mitchell said. “The start is the maul defence and we are making good strides.
“To be a really good team and for this team to grow we need to find different ways to score and make sure we can play the game in different ways.
“We are trying to be very clear on our strategy.
“They built pressure in both halves and I think we left a couple (of tries) out there as well.
“I still think there is massive growth left in us.”