Source: INPHO Tommy Dickson

England’s Red Roses make it two from two

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England made it two wins from two at the Women’s Rugby World Cup with a bonus-point 56-13 win over Italy at Billings Park UCD.

Following their win over Spain on Wednesday, the Red Roses ran in 10 tries for a second consecutive game in Dublin.

England got their first try after 10 minutes when captain Emily Scarratt crossed and was soon followed by Alex Matthews dotting down with 15 minutes gone.

Italy’s fly half Veronica Shiavon slotted home a penalty kick and a try from wing Maria Magatti in the 22nd minute narrowed the score line to 12-8.

Tries from Lydia Thompson and Amy Cokayne however ensured England secured a bonus point before half-time, going in with a 22-8 lead.

Tamara Taylor and Scarratt both crossed over after the break while Italy’s No 8, Elisa Giordano, scored a hard fought try to bring the score line to 34-13.

A trio of tries soon followed from England full-back Danielle Waterman, Scarratt as well as Thompson, who all crossed to seal victory.

England will play unbeaten USA in their final pool game on Thursday 13 August to decide who will finish top of Pool B.

Head coach Simon Middleton today said: ‘Credit to Italy, you give them any chance on the ball and they are going to ask questions of you and I thought we dealt with things really well today. To put 50 odd points on the board, it’s a great result for us.

‘We have trained together for a long time and we are really comfortable about our combinations. We have played two games with a lot of ball in play and it’s how we want to play.

‘I was really pleased with our defence, there was a lot of intensity about us today and we really focussed hard, our attitude was outstanding.’

England match-day 23 against Italy, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017

15. Danielle Waterman (Bristol, 72 caps)
14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester Valkyries, 34 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (Lichfield, 71 caps) ©
12. Rachael Burford (Harlequins Ladies, 69 caps)
11. Amy Wilson-Hardy (Bristol, 8 caps)
10. Amber Reed (Bristol, 41 caps)
9. Natasha Hunt (Lichfield, 38 caps)

1. Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries, 126 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 30 caps)
3. Justine Lucas (Lichfield, 24 caps)
4. Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 106 caps)
5. Zoe Aldcroft (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 6 caps)
6. Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 34 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Bristol, 48 caps)
8. Alex Matthews (Richmond, 34 caps)

16. Heather Kerr (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 10 caps)
17. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Ladies, 28 caps)
18. Poppy Cleall (Bristol, 14 caps)
19. Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 48 caps)
20. Sarah Hunter (Bristol, 95 caps)
21. La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 68 caps)
22. Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 88 caps)
23. Megan Jones (Bristol, 6 caps)

Schedule Pool B

England 56 v 5 Spain
Tries: Jones, Wilson (4), Scarratt, Millar-Mills, Matthews, Cokayne, Thompson
Conversions: Mclean (2), Scarratt

England 56 v 13 Italy
Tries: Scarratt (2) Matthews, Thompson (2), Cokayne, Taylor, Waterman (2), Wilson-Hardy
Conversions: Scarratt (2.) Reed

England v USA
Thursday 17 August – Billings Park UCD, Dublin (KO 2.30pm)
Live coverage ITV4 from 2pm

Report courtesy of England Rugby