England scored five second half tries without reply against France as they cruise to victory in Avignon.
Five players picked up their first international caps as England Women eased to a fine 36-6 win over France Women.
Both sides played their part in an entertaining game, watched by 1000s of fans ahead of England men’s 40-6 win over France later in the afternoon.
Chris Chapman’s side led 12-6 at half time, but pulled clear in the second period thanks to five unanswered tries.
England started on top as Bradford Bulls’ Lois Forsell, who works as part of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation as well as playing, charged over to open the scoring.
French stand off Ophelie Coll notched a penalty goal soon after, but a storming run from centre Amy Hardcastle saw her grab England’s second try of the afternoon.
Substitute Charlotte Booth was next to score, the substitute sneaking in at the corner to make it 12-2 to the visitors with half an hour played.
Though France hit back as Lucie Castello rumbled in at the corner, England still led 12-6 at the break.
They then made a perfect start to the second half as vice-captain Jodie Cunningham went over within a minute of the restart, converted by debutant Claire Garner.
Hardcastle scored again shortly after, before a second try for Booth, Garner converting once, as the Women led 26-6 going into the final ten minutes of the game.
England, benefiting from their hard work earlier in the game, were now coasting home as Featherstone Rovers winger Sarah Dunn, a member of the fire service, got on the scoresheet.
Garner converted to make it 32-6 inside the final five minutes.
But there was still time for a debut try, as Rovers’ Natalie Harrowell, who started in the second row, barged her way over from close range to round off a successful afternoon in the south of France.
France: Elisa Ciria; Lucie Castello, Laureane Biville, Christina Song-Puche, Pauline Vaissere; Ophelie Coll, Alice Varela (c); Anais Mikelef, Pauline Seguier, Cyndia Manstard; Aude Goubairate, Gwenaelle Urbes; Sonia Zaghdoudi.
Subs: Gaelle Delas, Gaelle Alvernhe, Nabila Zaghdoudi, Sandrine Lloria.
Coach: Laurent Dupuy
England: Jodie Cunningham (Thatto Heath Crusaders); Kayleigh Bullman (Featherstone Rovers), Amy Hardcastle (Bradford Bulls), Georgia Sutherland debut (Leigh Miners Rangers), Sarah Dunn (Featherstone Rovers); Claire Garner debut (Bradford Bulls), Jenny Welsby (Thatto Heath Crusaders); Emma Slowe (Featherstone Rovers), Lois Forsell (Bradford Bulls), Rhiannon Marshall debut (Bradford Bulls); Emily Rudge (Thatto Heath Crusaders), Natalie Harrowell debut (Featherstone Rovers); Andrea Dobson (c) (Featherstone Rovers).
Subs: Sinead Peach debut (Featherstone Rovers), Katie Cooper-Birkenhead (Featherstone Rovers), Charlotte Booth (Bradford Bulls) Danika Priim (Bradford Bulls).
Coach: Chris Chapman
Report courtesy of Women’s Rugby League
