England Triumph Over Italy in Thrilling Women’s Six Nations Opener
In a gripping start to their Women’s Six Nations title defense, the England Red Roses decimated Italy with an impressive eight-try victory in Parma, despite being reduced to 13 players for a significant portion of the match.
The reigning Grand Slam champions showcased their dominance from the outset, with tries from Hannah Botterman and Abbie Ward giving them a comfortable 10-point lead at the half-time whistle. However, the event took a dramatic turn when England’s Sarah Beckett was shown a red card in just the 11th minute, becoming the first woman to have a yellow card upgraded to a dismissal by the TMO ‘bunker’ system.
Undeterred, the Red Roses found another gear in the second half, scoring six more tries to seal an emphatic victory. Ellie Kildunne crossed the line twice, while Lark Atkin-Davies, Helena Rowland, Mackenzie Carson, and Connie Powell also scored for the visitors. The bonus-point win demonstrated the depth and resilience of the England squad as they opened their quest for a sixth successive championship in style.
“I’m on top of the world if I am being honest with you. We said we wanted to take the handbrake off, but there were some soft errors in play. We will fix up and come back stronger against Wales.” – Marlie Packer, England captain
Despite the setback of losing Beckett, the Red Roses continued to dominate, showcasing their attacking prowess and disciplined defensive play. Marlie Packer, who earned her 100th cap in the match, expressed her delight with the team’s performance.
As reported by BBC Rugby Union, this emphatic victory over Italy has set the stage for an exciting and competitive Women’s Six Nations campaign. The Red Roses have demonstrated their ability to overcome adversity and maintain their position as one of the powerhouses of international rugby union, leaving their opponents in no doubt about the challenge that lies ahead.
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