England Women secured a second consecutive bonus-point victory in the Women’s Six Nations when they overcame Italy 29-15 at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday.
England’s driving maul (Photo: Inpho)
A hat-trick of tries from Vicky Fleetwood ensured the Red Roses made it three from three despite going down to 13 players in the second half.
The Red Roses saw off a determined Italian side who were first off the mark with Sofia Stefan scoring after four minutes. Despite a nervous start, England regained controlled with Kay Wilson crossing on the wing with Emily Scarratt converting to put England ahead.
A break from Alex Matthews gave Amy Wilson Hardy her fourth try of the tournament to quickly follow up before a driving maul provided Fleetwood with her first in the 25th minute.
A second England maul from 10 metres out was again too strong for Italy with Fleetwood’s second try converted by Scarratt to make the scores 24-5 at half time.
Five minutes after the break the Saracens hooker scored her third from another catch and drive with the Italy pack struggling to contain England’s rolling maul. It was the first hat trick for a front row in the history of the Women’s Six Nations.
Italy had their second try after 56 minutes when captain Sara Barattin pounced on Manuela Furlan’s kick through before Aylesford Bulls full back scored her own eight minutes from time.
The Red Roses ended the match with 14 players after replacement Katy Mclean was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle, and they were reduced to 13 players in the 68th minute when Poppy Cleall was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle.
Head coach Simon Middleton said: “It was frustrating at times, but credit to Italy they were outstanding. Full marks to our players at the end, they showed fantastic character when they were down to 13 with eight minutes left on the clock. Italy were in the ascendency but we defended for our lives and with a great deal of discipline and shape.
Paying tribute to Fleetwood’s hat-trick, he added: “Vicky is a great athlete, she’s waited patiently in the wings and showed her versatility today when she went into the back row. She’s a great player and we’re blessed to have her.”
England return to Twickenham Stoop next, on Saturday 11 March, when they take on Scotland in the fourth round of the 2017 Six Nations (KO 1pm).
England 29 – 15 Italy
Tries: Fleetwood (3), Wilson, Wilson Hardy
Conversions: Scarratt (2)
England match-day 23 against Italy
15 Sarah McKenna (Saracens, 11 caps, Mclean (56))
14 Amy Wilson Hardy (Bristol, 6 caps)
13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield, 64 caps, Reed (65))
12 Rachael Burford (Aylesford Bulls, 63 caps)
11 Kay Wilson (Richmond, 40 caps)
10 Emily Scott (Saracens, 19 caps)
9 La Toya Mason (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 62 caps, Blackburn (63))
1 Justine Lucas (Lichfield, 17 caps, Clark (63))
2 Vicky Fleetwood (Saracens, 57 caps)
3 Laura Keates (Worcester Valkyries, 59 caps, Bern (56))
4 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield, 41 caps)
5 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 101 caps)
6 Alex Matthews (Richmond, 27 caps, Noel-Smith (48))
7 Marlie Packer (Bristol, 43 caps, Cokayne (53))
8 Sarah Hunter (Bristol, 88 caps, Cleall (61)) (c)
16 Amy Cokayne (Lichfield, 23 caps)
17 Rochelle Clark (Worcester Valkyries, 120 caps)
18 Sarah Bern (Bristol, 7 caps)
19 Poppy Cleall (Bristol, 10 caps)
20 Izzy Noel-Smith (Bristol, 27 caps)
21 Bianca Blackburn (Worcester Valkyries, 16 caps)
22 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, 83 caps)
23 Amber Reed (Bristol, 35 caps)
England Women Six Nations fixtures
England 26 – 13 France
Saturday 4 February, Twickenham Stadium
Wales 0 – 63 England
Saturday 11 February, Cardiff Arms Park
England 29 – 15 Italy
Saturday 25 February, Twickenham Stoop
England v Scotland
Saturday 11 March, KO 1pm, coverage delayed until 8pm on Sky Sports 2
Twickenham Stoop
Tickets available here
Ireland v England
Friday 17 March, KO 8pm, live on Sky Sports Mix
Donnybrook Stadium, Dublin
N.B. Channel information subject to change.
Report courtesy of England Rugby
