Red Roses defeat Italy in Parma
The Red Roses ran in 12 tries at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi to beat Italy 74-0 in round two of the TikTok Women's Six Nations.
It marked their twentieth consecutive Test win.
The Red Roses set a blistering pace to the match, scoring inside the opening four minutes, as Natasha Hunt found Sarah McKenna on the unattended side of a ten metre rolling maul for the easiest of tries. Zoe Harrison added the extras from the touchline.
Lydia Thompson bagged England's second score ten minutes later, coming off the back of a Vickii Cornborough charge down turnover inside the Italian 22, Helena Rowland pounced on the loose ball and immediately attacked the right flank, sucking in defenders before providing the assist for Thompson to score her 39th international try.
Simon Middleton's charges dominated at set piece, and it was the catalyst behind their third try, a trademark driving maul taken by hooker Lark Davies on the 20-minute mark to make it 17-0.
The forwards continued to shine; Shaunagh Brown powered over from close range moments later for her first international try, and the bonus point score, before Alex Matthews scored in similar fashion as half time neared. Both were successfully converted by Harrison to make it 31-0 at the break.
England's clinical play was clear to see in the half time stats: making 253 more metres, 44 more carries, 94 more passes, while boasting 70% possession.
Thompson crossed for her second try two minutes into the resumption of the match, neat passing found the winger in space, and she rounded Maria Magatti with ease to extend England's lead to 36 points.
The replacements made immediate impacts as Vicky Fleetwood was the benefactor at the back of another rolling maul try on the 50-minute mark, and Sarah Bern went on a rampaging run from half way, fending off Sara Barattin on her way to England's eighth try, making it 48-0.
The visitors continued to be relentless in attack, and had made 1000 metres by the hour mark. Though Italy were brave and strong around the breakdown, they were unable to deny England out wide, as Emma Sing found out, crossing for a first Test try on her second appearance.
Emily Scarratt entered the game at 66 minutes, and bagged England's tenth try with her first touch at 67 minutes - the score brought up a personal landmark for the centre of 50 Test tries. Rowland's extras made it 62-0.
Italy centre Beatrice Rigoni was shown a yellow card with just nine minutes remaining, and England took immediate advantage of the extra player, scoring a converted McKenna try, before Thompson claimed her hat-trick in the final play to round off a comprehensive 74-0 win.
Teams
Red Roses
15. Ellie Kildunne, 14. Lydia Thompson, 13. Holly Aitchison, 12. Helena Rowland, 11. Sarah McKenna, 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Natasha Hunt, 1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Lark Davies, 3. Shaunagh Brown, 4. Rosie Galligan, 5. Abbie Ward, 6. Alex Matthews, 7. Sadia Kabeya, 8. Poppy Cleall (c).
Finishers
16. Connie Powell, 17. Maud Muir, 18. Sarah Bern, 19. Sarah Hunter, 20. Vicky Fleetwood, 21. Lucy Packer, 22. Emily Scarratt, 23. Emma Sing.
Italy
15. Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 14. Aura Muzzo, 13. Michela Sillari, 12. Beatrice Rigoni, 11. Maria Magatti, 10. Veronica Madia, 9. Sofia Stefan, 8. Elisa Giordano (c), 7. Isabella Locatelli, 6. Francesca Sberna, 5. Giordana Duca, 4. Sara Tuonesi, 3. Lucia Gai, 2. Melissa Bettoni, 1. Gaia Maris.
Replacements
16. Vittoria Vecchini, 17. Francesca Barro, 18. Sara Seye, 19. Valeria Fedrighi, 20. Beatrice Veronese, 21. Sara Barattin, 22. Alyssa D’Inca, 23. Manuela Furlan.
Fixtures & Results
Italy 0 - 74 Red Roses
Red Roses v Wales - 9 April
Red Roses v Ireland - 24 April
France v Red Roses - 30 April
