Six Nations: England Women 76-0 Scotland Women

Published on 03/02/2013 00:00

scotland Women’s hopes of making an impact in this year’s Six Nations suffered an emphatic set-back at the hands of defending champions and favourites England, who are chasing an eighth straight title.

The home side ran in 12 tries at Esher and kept the visitors scoreless.

England Women’s captain Sarah Hunter, pictured, chipped in with two, as did stand-off Ceri Large, Sally Tuson and Abigail Chamberlain, while Hannah Gallagher, Amber Reed, Kay Wilson and Rochelle Clark all helped themselves to one apiece.

Despite the absence of a number of senior players, who are focusing on England’s Sevens campaign, the defending champions were in ruthless form and proved far too strong for Scotland, improving on their 47-0 victory last season.

It took England 19 minutes to open their account with Hunter picking up and diving over and flanker Gallagher made it 10-0 soon after, darting through a gap in the Scotland defence.

Debutant centre Chamberlain then set up Reed who touched down between the posts and added the conversion and Wilson raced clear from just inside the Scotland half for number four.

After the break, Large jinked her way through for England’s fifth score and Chamberlain then had the debut try her performance warranted – and almost immediately made it two.

Try number eight came when replacement wing Tuson used her pace and power to force her way over and Large then had her second as Scotland couldn’t live with England’s sustained pressure.

Fiona Pocock then came off the bench with 15 minutes to play, in her first appearance in an England shirt since injuring her knee in the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final against Australia.

She was involved in the build up to the tenth try, but the ball eventually worked its way towards the forwards and replacement prop Clark burrowed over to score. Hunter then scored her second try as the clock ticked 70 to make it 69-0 and Tuson got her second minutes later to make it 76-0 after Reed’s conversion, rounding off the scoring.