England Women ran in seven tries as they beat Scotland 43-8 to make it three wins from three in the 2018 Six Nations.
In a game played at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow, England crossed inside three minutes when Danielle Waterman, winning her 80th cap, took the ball off Lauren Cattell after the centre’s break and stepped the covering defender to dot down under the posts.
Prop Sarah Bern hit a superb line for England’s second before Scotland rallied through Sarah Law’s penalty and Jade Konkel’s try to bring the scores to within six points.
However, Charlotte Pearce’s first international try put England back in control and despite Izzy Noel Smith’s yellow card the bonus-point was secured when Ellie Kildunne scored following a deep break for a 26-8 half-time lead.
England continued their pressure in the second half and Pearce showed superb strength and composure to cross for her second.
Lagi Tuima also got her first try for her country as she broke through the midfield to run in.
Waterman’s second came from a well worked move off the back of a scrum and she nearly got her hat-trick in the final moments but her effort was ruled out after her foot was just in touch.
Simon Middleton England Women head coach today said: “We did some really good things tonight, some of the contributions from the younger players were outstanding. At the same time we gave away some unnecessary penalties which led to yellow cards, so there is lots to look at, and learn from, going into our next game against France, which will be a really tough fixture but one we are looking forward to.”
Middleton added “We want to pay tribute to Rocky tonight also, she’s an incredible player and incredible person, it’s a great achievement.”
Rochelle ‘Rocky’ Clark earned her 135th international cap taking her into fourth place behind Richie McCaw (148), Brian O’Driscoll (141) and George Gregan (139) in the all-time list and the most capped prop of all time having over-taken Gethin Jenkins (134).
The Red Roses next face France on 10 March in Grenoble, KO 20:00 GMT, live Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix.
England Women match-day 23 v Scotland, Six Nations 2018
15. Ellie Kildunne (Gloucester-Hartpury, 6 caps)
14. Danielle Waterman (Wasps FC Ladies, 80 caps)
13. Lagi Tuima (Bristol Ladies, 4 caps)
12. Lauren Cattell (Saracens Women, 23 caps)
11. Charlotte Pearce (Loughborough Lightning, 3 caps)
10. Katy Daley-Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 97 caps)
9. Leanne Riley (Harlequins Ladies, 19 caps)
1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Ladies, 37 caps)
2. Amy Cokayne (Wasps FC Ladies, 39 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Gloucester Hartpury, 18 caps)
4. Abbie Scott (Harlequins Ladies, 27 caps)
5. Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 114 caps)
6. Rowena Burnfield (Richmond F.C, 45 caps)
7. Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol Ladies, 41 caps)
8. Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women, 20 caps)
16. Lark Davies (Worcester Valkyries, 9 caps)
17. Rochelle Clark (Wasps FC Ladies, 135 caps)
18. Justine Lucas (Wasps FC Ladies, 31 caps)
19. Catherine O’Donnell (Loughborough Lightning, 3 caps)
20. Marlie Packer (Saracens Women, 57 caps)
21. Caity Mattinson (Bristol Ladies, 6 caps)
22. Amber Reed (Bristol Ladies, 47 caps)
23. Kelly Smith (Gloucester-Hartpury, 1 cap)
England Women Six Nations 2018 playing schedule and results:
Italy 7 – 42 England
Tries: Bern, Cleall, Hunter (3), Kildunne, Dow
Cons: Daley- Mclean (2)
Pens: Daley-Mclean
England 52 – 0 Wales
Tries: Cleall (2), Dow, Riley, Kildunne (2), Burford, Packer
Cons: Daley-Mclean (5)
Scotland 8 – 43 England
Tries: Waterman (2), Bern, Pearce (2), Kildunne, Tuima
Cons: Daley-Mclean (4)
France v England
Saturday 10 March, KO 20:00 GMT, Live Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix
Stade des Alpes, Grenoble
England v Ireland
Friday 16 March, KO 17:30, Live Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix
Ricoh Arena, Coventry
Report courtesy of the RFU
