On a wet and freezing Twickenham station platform, a young girl articulately explains to her dad the options for closing the gender pay gap in rugby. Outside the Stoop, more fans vividly re-enact their favourite moments from the game. One wonders if these moments, where their inspiration is so obvious, mean as much to the players as on field results, as the women’s game continues to grow. In this post-World Cup season, there is evidence of this growth, not least in attendance numbers. A record crowd of 4,023, including bc magazine’s Sarah Higgins filled Twickenham Stoop Stadium to watch England take on Wales in the Women’s Six Nations.
Both teams came into this game off opening weekend victories; England waking up in the second half against Italy and Wales inching an absorbing contest 18-17 against Scotland. Starting how they left off, England attacked with intent, a first foray over the line prevented by a try-saving tackle from Wales wing Jess Kavanagh-Williams before lock Poppy Cleall finished off a line out move in the right hand corner.
For Wales, existing injury woes worsened, Hannah Jones replacing outside centre Kerin Lake who came off clutching her elbow in only the third minute. And basic handling errors cost them, with more experienced members of the squad just as culpable as the fresher faces. By the 21st minute, England were three tries to the good, Abigail Dow and a sniping run from scrum half Leanne Riley adding to their tally. The bonus point was secured inside 30 minutes, through rising star Ellie Kildunne, though this time Katy Daley-McLean’s conversion attempt bounced off the left post and out.
Wales looked particularly vulnerable down the right, but they put up a spirited defence in the forwards, and competed well in the scrum. And it was all defence – Wales’ first meaningful foray into the England 22 didn’t happen until after the break.
As the weather worsened, Wales got a little brighter, with some expansive runs and their first real period of sustained possession. But an overthrown attacking line out from captain Carys Phillips, allowed England to then recover possession on the edge of their own 22, exemplifying their day. Fly half Robyn Williams was replaced after only 50 minutes by Llecu George, but it did little to stem the tide.
England’s pack was redoubtable if unflashy; flanker Marlie Packer (a typically forthright performance necessitating a fresh shirt for the second half) driving over in the 45th minute, then playing on in one shoe momentarily as Swing Low rang out around the stadium. The backs provided the fireworks – Daley-Mclean penetrating strong Wales defence with a neat grubber, Rachel Burford’s resulting try her last contribution to the game. And a brief pause for treatment for Kildunne clearly worked, as moments later a scintillating solo run from just inside the England half resulted in try number 7 and the best moment of the game.
Cleall rounded out the half century in the final minutes, earning Player of the Game to go with her two tries. Daley-McLean, influential throughout, converted and England marched on with a successive shut-out, 52-0. On this performance, it would be unwise to bet against consecutive Grand Slams. Wales next face Ireland, where they will be looking to cut out the errors and convert their forward power and resilience into points.
In the Men’s Game, England completed the sweep over Wales, a much tighter contest ending 12-6 thanks to two Jonny May tries and a game-saving tackle from Sam Underhill.
England: (backs) Waterman, D; Dow A; Kildunne, E; Burford, R; Pearce, C; Daley-McLean, Riley; (forwards) Clark, R; Cokayne, A; Bern,S; Scott, A; Taylor, T; Cleall, P; Packer, M; Hunter, S (Captain)
Replacements: Davis, L; Cornborough, V; Lucas, J; Burnfield, R; Noel-Smith, I; Mattinson, C; Cattell, L; Tuima, L
Wales: (backs) Snowsill, E; Bluck, H; Lake, K; De Filippo, R; Kavanagh-Williams, J; Wilkins, R; Parker, R; (forwards) Thomas, C; Phillips, C (Captain); Evans, A; Lillicrap, S; Clay, M; Butchers, A; Lewis, B; Harries, S (50th cap)
Replacements: Jones, K; Pyrs, G; Hale, C; John, N; Davies, N; Knight, J; George, L; Jones, H
Images: Courtesy of England rugby
