6 Nations – Second Round
We’d better not call this England’s B side that turned out in Parma; we might not get out of the room in one piece. But only four who started against Scotland were on the field at kick-off. The Red Roses scored twelve tries and conceded none.
There was no chance they would be taking life easy; competition for World Cup places is extreme, and the management keeps promoting new talent to cause senior players a concern.
With Mo Hunt calling the tune at No 9, they started in top gear and stayed throughout the game.
Mistakes are almost inevitable under those conditions, but none proved costly. The ball was constantly made available for support players. Almost the only time it disappeared from public view was when the forwards enjoyed themselves with an unstoppable rumble.
Italy’s pack was penalised at the first scrum. From the ensuing line-out (a good take by Rosie Galligan) the pack drove and Hunt spotted Sarah McKenna unmarked on the blind-side touchline. The first try in three minutes.
Italy still haven’t sorted out a convincing exit strategy despite warnings from past experiences against England; now Veronica Madia had a kick charged down. England processed it fast for Lydia Thompson to remind us of her outstanding qualities. This was her 39th try for England, and she went on to complete a hat-trick with her 41st in the 79th minute – a very different kind of score after that game-saver against France at Exeter at the same ‘eleventh hour’.
Tries followed from Lark Davies, Shaunagh Brown (making a successful return to the colours) and Alex Matthews, who was utterly outstanding on the flank.
Half-time 0-31
The ambition was to maintain the same level of pressure through to the end. The Azzurre will certainly feel they did; they managed only rarely to fight their way into the English half.
One meaningful change to the visiting line-up saw Harrison and Rowland swap positions and roles. Rowland took over the kicking duties.
Three more times the ball swung to the far wing for McKenna to finish with a brace of tries, Thompson with her triple. But the first fell to Vicky Fleetwood, another Red Rose making a welcome return and adding to the competition for places in the back row.
Sarah Bern had hardly replaced Brown when she was sprinting clear to run in from 30 metres. She wasn’t the only forward who might have been auditioning for a place in the backs.
Emma Sing scored her debut try soon after appearing too. Then on 66 minutes the Italians realised Emily Scarratt hadn’t been on the field till then. Was it inevitable that she scored her 50th try for her country almost at once? Harrison offered the most perfect grubber through to the line for Scaz to pounce.
Hollie Davidson produced her only yellow card ten minutes from time, and to Beatrice Rigoni, who once more had been the leading spirit in the Italians’ efforts.
England scored their last two tries against 14 players.
This was England’s 20th consecutive victory. For the Azzurre it was a definite setback; the splendid first-half display of last year was nowhere to be seen. Apart from their problems in clearing their lines effectively, they had little success at the breakdown. Whereas the Scots had given the English some toil, here in Parma the English line hardly ever came under pressure.
Special mentions must go to Galligan, who put in an 80-minute performance of Aldcroft-like distinction; Sadia Kabeya, who provides that vital Packer-type ingredient to the recipe, and McKenna, another returning – out of position – after a lengthy absence. She echoed her performance on the 2017 trip to New Zealand when she scored a hat-trick on the left wing.
The squad has a last chance to show their paces next week against Wales at Gloucester, before the selectors have to make some highly significant decisions about their best 23.
Teams:
Italy: 15. Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (10 caps); 14. Aura Muzzo (21 caps), 13. Michela Sillari (64 caps), 12. Beatrice Rigoni (50 caps), 11. Maria Magatti (39 caps), 10. Veronica Madia (26 caps), 9. Sofia Stefan (63 caps); 1. Gaia Maris (7 caps), 2. Melissa Bettoni (65 caps), 3. Lucia Gai (77 caps), 4. Sara Tounesi (19 caps), 5. Giordana Duca (25 caps), 6. Francesca Sberna (7 caps), 7. Isabella Locatelli (29 caps), 8 Elisa Giordano (captain, 50 caps)
Bench: 16. Vittoria Vecchini (4 caps), 17. Francesca Barro (uncapped), 18. Sara Sete (3 caps), 19. Valeria Fedrighi (29 caps), 20. Beatrice Veronese (7 caps), 21. Sara Barattin (102 caps), 22. Alyssa D’Inca (5 caps), 23 Manuela Furlan (82 caps)
England: 15. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 19 caps); 14. Lydia Thompson (Worcester Warriors, 50 caps) 13. Holly Aitchison (Saracens, 5 caps) 12. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 11 caps) 11. Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 39 caps) 10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 34 caps) 9. Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 55 caps); 1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins, 65 caps) 2. Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 36 caps) 3. Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins, 24 caps) 4. Rosie Galligan (Harlequins, 2 caps) 5. Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 51 caps) 6. Alex Matthews (Worcester Warriors, 46 caps) 7. Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 2 caps) 8. Poppy Cleall (captain, Saracens, 51 caps)
Bench: 16. Connie Powell (Gloucester-Hartpury, 2 caps) 17. Maud Muir (Wasps, 5 caps) 18. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears, 41 caps) 19. Sarah Hunter (Loughborough Lightning, 131 caps) 20. Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens, 79 caps) 21. Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 2 caps) 22. Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 97 caps) 23. Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 1 cap)
Result: Italy 0 England 74
Player of the Match: Natasha Hunt
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Table:
P W L B Pts
England 2 2 0 2 10
France 2 2 0 2 10
Wales 2 2 0 2 10
Scotland 2 0 2 1 1
Ireland 2 0 2 0 0
Italy 2 0 2 0 0
