Full-back Abby Dow grabbed four tries for the Red Roses against Italy at Franklin’s Gardens; Jessica Breach scored a hat-trick, while Claudia MacDonald and skipper Marlie Packer crossed twice; Tatyana Heard got the other try for the home side as they made it two wins from two
Last Updated: 02/04/23 7:24pm
Abby Dow grabbed four tries as England scored a resounding win over Italy
Four tries from Abby Dow helped England to a convincing bonus-point 68-5 victory over Italy in Sunday’s TikTok Women’s Six Nations match at Franklin’s Gardens.
Two tries apiece from wingers Jessica Breach and Claudia MacDonald, plus one from Dow helped ensure the Red Roses secured the try-scoring bonus point in the first half and led 27-5 at half-time.
Sara Tounesi’s unconverted score had seen Italy within touching distance of the hosts early on and ensured they would avoid being nilled as was the case when the teams last met.
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But that was the only time they troubled the scoreboard, with Breach and Dow completing their hat-tricks in the second half, along with skipper Marlie Packer adding two and Tatyana Heard crossing in the rout which made it two wins from two for Simon Middleton’s side.
Story of the game
Italy were on the back foot from the kick-off after a knock-on from Veronica Maida on the edge of her own 22 gave England an early scrum in a great position. The set-piece was not the best, but the Red Roses got the ball and worked it wide for Breach to finish for a try converted by Hollie Aichison.
The away side struck back immediately though, kicking to touch from a penalty and then setting up a drive from a line-out which led to Sara Tounesi breaking off the side of the maul and finishing in the right corner.
That was as good as it got f …