Red Roses complete Grand Slam with win in Italy
The Red Roses secured back-to-back Women’s Six Nations Grand Slams with a 54-0 victory over Italy in Parma.
Having already been confirmed as champions last weekend, England ran in eight tries for a bonus-point in Italy and secure a record 15th Grand Slam to go with their 16th championship win.
The result means England’s men and women teams have both secured the 2020 titles, the first time they have completed that double since 2017.
At the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in north Italy it took England just four minutes to get on the board when some smart handling fed the ball to Ellie Kildunne and a smart step from the full back saw her crash over.
After Sarah Beckett went close off the back of a scrum, England’s second came from Poppy Cleall who drove over from close range, her fourth try of the tournament.
Following Sarah Bern’s try being disallowed for a knock-on, captain for the night Emily Scarratt ran a superb line in the midfield and sprinted in from 25 metres out – her 47th Test try on her 90th cap.
A well-worked driving maul off the back of a five-metre lineout saw Abbie Ward dot down for the bonus-point before half-time, with Scarratt’s four successful conversions giving England a 28-0 lead at the break in a half they dominated.
Italy’s defence improved after the break and it took until nearly 20 minutes into the second half for England’s first points when Sarah Bern powered over from close range.
Jess Breach dived over in the corner after she was set up by finisher Zoe Harrison and then Leanne Riley intercepted an Italian pass close to their line to get England's seventh.
The fourth try of the second half and the final score of the evening was completed when Marlie Packer was able to fall down off the back of another controlled driving maul.
Champions
After their 2019 Grand Slam success, Simon Middleton’s side went into the Six Nations off the back of three wins in the Quilter Internationals and completed a home and away double over France, as well as beating Italy in Bedford.
And it was in France where England began their campaign with a 19-13 win in what was their closest score line of the tournament.
Bonus-point wins followed against Scotland (53-0), Ireland (27-0) and Wales (66-7), before finishing the 2020 Six Nations with another bonus-point victory in Italy.
Landmarks
It was a special day for fly half Katy Daley-Mclean who moved joint third on the all-time England caps list with Tamara Taylor on 115 appearances for England, and behind Sarah Hunter (123) and Rocky Clark (137).
The Sale Sharks Women’s half back, who is England’s second all-time highest points scorer behind Scarratt, was a controlling figure as usual with her tactical kicking and distribution.
There were also Red Roses debuts in Parma with 18-year-old lock Morwenna Talling starting in the second row alongside Abbie Ward and back Helena Rowland, who has previously represented England on the World Rugby Seven Series, came on as a finisher with 20 minutes remaining.
The game also saw a return to XVs rugby for 2014 Rugby World Cup winner Alex Matthews as well as Kildunne, who had also previously been in the sevens programme.
Reaction
Red Roses head coach Simon Middleton: “At this moment in time we’re absolutely over the moon because there are players there haven’t played international rugby for a year, or others who haven’t for two or three years.
“I think the girls have been absolutely magnificent and what a great squad effort – the finishers who came on were fantastic and gave the game a real feel good factor for us.
“The whole reflected where we’ve come as a group – we started with loads of energy, then it got a little bit scratchy but then we really started to gel and finished really strong with energy and accuracy.
Red Roses lock Abbie Ward: “I was watching all of the games in February and March and the momentum that the girls were building and it was fantastic as a team mate to see that.
“I think the pressure was on to finish the Six Nations on our terms and the Grand Slam is something we’ve spoken about, to do it back-to-back is rare and something we haven’t secured for a while.
Teams
Italy
15. Manuela Furlan (C), 14. Maria Magatti, 13. Michela Sillari, 12. Beatrice Rigoni, 11. Sofia Stefan, 10. Veronica Madia, 9. Sara Barattin; 1. Silvia Turani, 2. Melissa Bettoni, 3. Lucia Gai, 4. Valeria Fedrighi, 5. Giordana Duca, 6. Francesca Sgorbini, 7. Giada Franco, 8. Elisa Giordano.
Replacements
16. Giulia Cerato, 17. Erika Skofca, 18. Michela Merlo, 19. Sara Tounesi, 20. Francesca Sberna, 21. Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 22. Aura Muzzo, 23. Benedetta Mancini.
England
15. Ellie Kildunne, 14. Jess Breach, 13. Emily Scarratt (C), 12. Amber Reed, 11. Abby Dow, 10. Katy Daley-Mclean, 9. Claudia MacDonald; 1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Lark Davies, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Abbie Ward, 5. Morwenna Talling, 6. Poppy Cleall, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Sarah Beckett.
Finishers
16. Amy Cokayne, 17. Detysha Harper, 18. Shaunagh Brown, 19. Harriet Millar-Mills, 20. Alex Matthews, 21. Leanne Riley, 22. Helena Rowland, 23. Zoe Harrison.
