Meg Jones and Marlie Packer both scored twice as world champions England ran in 10 tries in a 62-24 Women’s Six Nations demolition of Wales.
Maddie Feaunati, debutant Millie David, Amy Cokayne, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Jess Breach and Maud Muir also went over at Ashton Gate, with Keira Bevan, Kelsey Jones, Bethan Lewis and Seren Lockwood replying as John Mitchell’s table-toppers extended their 100 per cent record in the tournament with a third win.
England roared out of the blocks and went ahead with just six minutes gone when Feaunati’s break took her side deep into the Welsh 22 and she eventually went over from close range with Helena Rowland adding the conversion.
David made her mark six minutes later, collecting Holly Aitchison’s long pass before racing away to touch down, although the 20-year-old winger’s big day would end prematurely after she failed a head injury assessment.
To their credit, Wales stayed in the game and quickly reduced the deficit when scrum-half Bevan picked up from the base of the ruck and went through a gap, converting her own try to make it 12-7.
However, flanker Packer was driven over before centre Jones scored a fine solo effort to claim the bonus point with Rowland successful from her first attempt, although Welsh hooker Jones also crossed from a well-worked line-out move.
Millie David was forced off after failing a HIA moments after scoring a debut try
But the Red Roses went in at the break with a 29-12 lead after Jones started and finished a thrilling attack involving winger Moloney-MacDonald and Ellie Kildunne.
England picked up where they had left off when hooker Cokayne peeled off the back of a rolling maul to touch down with Rowland adding the two points, and the visitors’ hopes were dealt a further blow when full-back Kayleigh Powell was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on.
Moloney-MacDonald took full advantage almost immediately with a fine finish in the corner, and Breach scored her side’s eighth, converted by fellow replacement Zoe Harrison before Powell’s return.
Tries from Packer and Muir either side of Wales flanker Lewis’ effort – both of which were converted by Harrison – took England’s tally to 10, but Lockwood had the final say to snatch a bonus point for the visitors with the clock in the red.
Packer: Ashton Gate sell-out means everything
Player of the match – Marlie Packer – speaking to BBC:
“We’re really pleased. Wales have given us a tough game, they have improved massively. We’ve got a young squad who stepped up today, I’m really proud of the girls’ performance.
“It means everything. Just putting on this shirt is a massive honour. Being in front of this crowd at Ashton Gate is incredible. Today meant everything.
“Selling out these stadiums, means everything to us. We want to put a game on for them and hope they enjoy our performances.
“We’re loving it every time we come into camp. We enjoy being with the Red Roses. It’s a really good environment and a nice place to be, which means we can put this type of product on the pitch.”
‘We would have flopped 12 months ago’
Wales head coach Sean Lynn, speaking to BBC:
“That’s what I asked the girls for today, character.
“Before, 12 months ago, we would have flopped and fallen away, but to show that character to fight back with two tries and get that bonus point, I cannot fault character.
“We disappointed to have leaked 62 points, but that is a very good Red Roses side who were clinical.”
England’s 2026 Women’s Six Nations fixtures
- England 33-12 Ireland (April 11) – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
- Scotland 7-84 England (April 18) – Murrayfield, Edinburgh
- England 62-24 Wales (April 25) – Ashton Gate, Bristol
- vs Italy (Saturday May 9) – Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma (3pm)
- vs France (Sunday May 17) – Stade Atlantique, Bordeaux (5.45pm)
