Injury to Dow mars Roses’ perfect 10

ENGLAND overcame the early loss of Abby Dow to continue the perfect start to their TikTok Women’s Six Nations title defence with a crushing victory over Wales at Kingsholm.

The Red Roses ran in 10 tries in a battle between previously unbeaten teams to post a third successive bonus-point win.

But play had to be stopped for 15 minutes in the first-half after Dow suffered a bad injury. The full-back looked in terrible pain as she went down clutching her leg after being caught in a tackle, with her screams being heard around the stadium. She left the pitch on a stretcher and was later taken to hospital.

Once the match restarted, hooker Lark Davies and wing Jess Breach both crossed twice as Wales were swept away. Abbie Ward, Sarah Bern, Alex Matthews, Shaunagh Brown, Emily Scarratt and Sarah Hunter also touched down, while Wales had to be content with Kelsey Jones going over for a single try in the second half.

Player-of-the-match Ward said, ‘We weren’t happy with how the first half went. Wales made it difficult for us and credit to them.

‘That aside, to come into the second half and to play with the intent that I think we showed, we’ve got to be happy.’