Red Roses player ratings from their dominant six-try victory against France at Kingsholm on Saturday afternoon.
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The Red Roses powered to a dominant victory in their first match since clinching a third consecutive Six Nations Grand Slam in April, running in six tries to outclass France.
England will now face world champions New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday as John Mitchell’s side prepares for WXV1 in Canada and builds towards next year’s home World Cup.
Captain Marlie Packer opened the scoring, with Jess Breach and Helena Rowland adding to England’s tally, giving the home side a 19-0 lead at half-time.
Three minutes into the second half, Morwenna Talling extended England’s advantage with a try from a driving maul, before France responded in kind through Agathe Sochat.
Breach scored her second try, and Lucy Packer crossed the line as England further cemented their lead. However, late tries from Romane Menager and Pauline Bourdon Sansus gave France some consolation.
RED ROSES PLAYER RATINGS:
15. Ellie Kildunne 8
First game back from Olympic sevens duties. Began the match with a nasty collision, as Kildunne was clattered by Lina Tuy before colliding with the lines-woman. Great running lines to break into the back-field, with key involvements in the build up to England’s first two scores. Threw one unforced interception to Konde in the second half, amidst an impressive return to 15s rugby.
14. Abby Dow 7
Great turnover after five minutes, to get over the ruck and halt France’s strong early attacking phases. Penalised for not rolling away from contact after 37 minutes, in a rare defensive error. Confident when collecting the high ball, as France sent many kick’s down the Trailfinders’ channel.
13. Helena Rowland 8
Got the nod to start at outside centre over the injured Meg Jones. Took some gelling with Tatyana Heard in the early goings, as some midfield gaps were exploited by France. The new-found attacking partnership soon prospered in the, with Rowland running onto Heard’s offload for a 21st minute try. Shone in the second half, as she ignited the Loughborough Lightning spark with Emily Scarratt.
12. Tatyana Heard 8.5 (Player of the Match)
Strong carries from the get go, as she did the job asked from John Mitchell – break the gain line. Worked well with her new midfield partner Helena Rowland, despite some early gaps left in the defence. Offloaded after a heavy carry to Rowland, for the centre to score after 21 minutes. Threw a horror pass on her own 5m line to a French attacker, but thankfully England cleared the danger.
11. Jess Breach 8
Key involvement in the first try of the match, with her break down the left pinning France back on their line. Finished off a well worked move through the backs for England’s second try, and completed her brace on the score-sheet in the second half. Breach’s second try was her better finish, as she skipped past a French defender down a narrow channel.
10. Holly Aitchison 7.5
Solid under the high ball and confident to run the ball back at the France line, instead of entering a kicking match with the talented Lina Tuy and Chloe Jacquet. Aitchison’s first demonstration of kicking from hand sent an inch perfect touch finder to touch, to set up a rolling maul try in the second half. Playmaking prowess, and led the charge with Heard and Rowland in support.
9. Natasha Hunt 7
Gloucester-Hartpury legend was introduced as just that to the Kingsholm fans, and received a monstrous ovation. Kept up with the pace well, and distributed the ball. The Cherry and White faithful certainly love their scrum half, who was the metronomic heart-beat of England’s attack.
1. Hannah Botterman 7
The first carry of the match was a big one, as Botterman set tone of the hard-hitting game. Ever present around the park, and scrummed solidly, whilst also hitting the breakdowns to send French defences flying backwards. Stole the ball at the ruck at 25 minutes, but could not keep hold of the ball as she bundled into the following tackle. (Off
2. Amy Cokayne 7
A strong first scrum won a free kick for England. Excellent accuracy in the line-out, with the telepathic connection shown between her and the jumping Zoe Aldcroft. The RAF servicewoman sent her throws flying with precision, with missiles received by her designated target. Dropped her guard as Agathe Sochat sold the dummy, and skipped past her to score off the back of a maul to score France’s first try.
3. Maud Muir 7
Bounced backwards by a heavy France carrier as Les Bleus built field position in early stages. A massive carry on the 34th minute sent a defender back-peddling over their own 5m line, but England couldn’t capitalise on the misshapen blue wall.
4. Zoe Aldcroft 8
Laid down the marker for her positional battle, as she put in a huge hit on France captain Feleu in the early goings. Very good in the air as per the norm, the home soil Gloucester-Hartpury star left no chance for France to take off in her fly zone.
5. Morwenna Talling 7
Came flying in with the big hits, as she formed a two woman wrecking crew with Zoe Aldcroft. The lock imposed herself upon the French defence with a handful of dominant carries, with each run at the Blues taking at least two defenders to ground her drive.
6. Maddie Feaunati 7
First start in her sixth cap for England. Missed judge her pace when running on to the ball at seven minutes, and it fizzed into the French hands. Excellent work to assist Jess Breach with a nice flat and wide pass for England’s second try. Feaunati stretched her legs with a 31st minute break down-field, with her pace showcased over the half-way line.
7. Marlie Packer 8.5 (C)
Knocked on a pop pass from Heard, as she ran on with a full head of steam. Muscled her way over the try-line from close range to score England’s first try of the afternoon. You could hear Packer’s leadership up in the press gantry, with the vocal Yeovil native tearing up trees upon her return to the West Country. Packer scored her second try three minutes after the half-time break, as she grounded a powerful rolling maul.
8. Alex Matthews 7
Assertive as ever in the carry, with plenty of support behind the home-town Gloucester-Hartpury hero. Punched holes through the blue and white defensive wall, that was not up to its usual levels of steadiness. Unlucky to be denied a try in the second half, as she was tackled millimetres from the line, before Lucy Packer’s sniping score.
REPLACEMENTS:
16. Lark Atkin-Davies 6
First line-out was overthrown, as Aldcroft wanted the ball at the back. Solid work rate around the pitch, as she emptied the tank for the Red Roses.
17. Mackenzie Carson 6
Forced back in scrum for second French try, but battled well around the park.
18. Sarah Bern 7
Back from injury for a replacement appearence, good to see Bern back firing for England.
19. Lilli Ives Campion 6.5
Given just 10 minutes for her England debut off the bench, received a massive ovation following her arrival.
20. Poppy Cleall 7
On for her skipper and immediately bolstered the fatiguing legs in the back row. Heavy carries were impressive up front.
21. Lucy Packer 7
On for fan favourite Hunt, and did her best to capture the same lightning bottled by the Gloucester-Hartpury hero. Sniped from the back of a ruck for a 66th minute try, to tighten England’s grip on the win. Packer thought she had doubled her tally with a minute left, but the scrum half knocked the ball on over the try-line.
22. Zoe Harrison 6
Harrison did not have much time to make a significant impact, with her inclusion coming off the bench with just nine minutes remaining. Steered the ship well into the final moments of the match.
23. Emily Scarratt 7
On at 12 for Tatyana Heard, in an interesting re-shuffling of the England backs. Got a metre out from scoring in the run up to Lucy Packer’s try, with an imposing carry in the midfield.