England 30 Wales 0

England Women were crowned the RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam champions for a second consecutive year after an emphatic 30-0 victory over Wales at Taff’s Well RFC.

England Head Coach Geoff Richards’ side firmly slammed the door shut on their rivals, just as they had done against Scotland, Italy and Ireland this season. Only old rivals France managed to put any points on the reigning champions.

Richards said: “This is a fantastic feeling. I am delighted for the players and the management team that we have defended our title and defended it with some pride and passion.

“This season has certainly seen a lot of changes following the Rugby World Cup but despite so many new players coming in, the team has gelled and performed like a well drilled unit throughout the tournament. That is a testament to not only this team, but the work the union has been doing to develop players through all the player pathways.”

England’s convincing win came courtesy of tries from Clifton’s Danielle Waterman (2), Saracens’ Karen Andrew and Amber Penrith. Andrew also added 10 points from the boot.

Wing Waterman claimed the first of her two tries after just 10 minutes to send a clear message out to Wales that England were not just looking for a title, but another good rugby outing. The score came after continuous pressure in Wales’ 22 and after another scrum the ball was recycled out-wide to Andrew and Saracens centre Rachel Burford who off-loaded to Waterman on the right wing. Andrew missed the conversion, but added a penalty minutes later to take England 8-0 ahead.

Wing Penrith, making her first ever start for England after coming off the bench at the last minute following Charlotte Barras’ late withdrawal, certainly made her mark just before the break with her first international try.

It was a scrum, again in Wales’ 22, that handed England the attacking platform and with Clifton flanker Georgia Stevens coming off the back of a driving maul, she off-loaded with excellent precision to Penrith in the corner to hand England a 13-0 lead at half-time.

Andrew added her second penalty after the restart, but the tourists had to wait until the 70th minute to make any further impression on the score-line. Although England dominated possession and territory Wales proved difficult to breakdown, though they finally gave way in the dying minutes of the game with the visitors running in two late tries.

First came Waterman’s second touchdown from a turn-over created by centre Burford. She popped the ball up to Thirk forward Tamara Taylor who made space before setting Waterman loose on the right wing.

Andrew converted before adding her own try on 80th minutes after the ball was picked-up from the back of a ruck by scrum-half Amy Turner who set-up Andrew with a nice offload. The fly-half converted to hand England victory and the title for the second year on the bounce.

England:

1 Rochelle Clark (Henley), 2 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3 Katy Storie (Blaydon), 4 Tamara Taylor (Thirsk), 5 Jo McGilchrist (Wasps), 6 Georgia Stevens (Clifton), 7 Maggie Alphonsi (Saracens) VC, 8 Catherine Spencer (Worcester), 9 Amy Turner (Wasps), 10 Karen Andrew (Saracens), 11 Sue Day (Wasps) C, 12 Rachel Burford (Saracens), 13 Claire Allan (Saracens), 14 Danielle Watermen (Clifton), 15 Charlotte Barras (Saracens). Replacements: 16 Emma Layland (Richmond), 17 Vanessa Gray (Wasps), 18 Sarah Beale (Leos), 19 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), 20 Katy McLean (Thirsk), 21 Michaela Staniford (Wasps), 22 Amber Penrith (Cardiff Quins).

Tries: Waterman (2), Penrith, Andrew

Conversions: Andrew (2)

Penalties: Andrew (2)

Substitutions: Gray for Storie (64), Staniford for Allan (64), Layland for Garnett, Beale for McGilchrist (73).

Wales:

1 Louise Horgan, 2 Rhian Bowden, 3 Jennifer Davies, 4 Claire Donovan, 5 Liza Burgess, 6 Catrina Nicholas, 7 Jamie Kift, 8 Kylie Wilson, 9 Melissa Berry (c), 10 Rachel Poolman, 11 Louise Rickard, 12 Clare Flowers, 13 Naomi Thomas, 14 Non Evans, 15 Elen Evans. Replacements: 16 Amy Broadstock,

17 Gemma Hallett, 18 Hannah Torangi, 19 Nicola Evans, 20 Amy Day, 21 Rhian Williams, 22 Hannah Szigetvari.

Referee: Nicky Innwood

Touch judge: Neil Howells

Touch judge: Leighton James

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England 38 France 12

A hat-trick of tries from Clifton’s Danielle Waterman helped ease England to a 38-12 victory over France at Old Albanians RFC in the penultimate round of the RBS 6 Nations.

Saracens full-back Charlotte Barras also claimed a brace of tries with her club and country teammate Maggie Alphonsi also on the score-sheet in what was an impressive performance by England. After wins over Scotland, Italy, Ireland and France they next play Wales at Taffs Well RFC as they bid to win the RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam two years on the bounce.

It was a great-turn of speed and impressive execution by England’s backline which set-up the first try after just six minutes. Saracens fly-half Karen Andrew, who enjoyed an impressive afternoon with the boot despite the blustery conditions, helped kick-start the back-line move with a quick pass to centre Claire Allan. Allan off-loaded to Barras who then stepped up the pace to set Waterman free on the right wing to score.

Andrew missed the conversion, but England soon eased to a 10-0 lead with Warterman’s second touchdown just nine minutes later. Some aggressive work at the breakdown by the pack created the platform on which the backs were again able to attack and with wing Waterman at the centre of the action she claimed try number two. Andrew this time added the conversion.

England remained firmly in control with Barras, England’s top scorer of the tournament with six tries, handing England a 17-0 lead. With England dominating they were attacking from every platform and in the end it was Allan and skipper Sue Day, whose quick hands set-up Barras on the left wing for a try. Andrew again converted.

A wayward pass from a French defensive line-out in their own 22 set-up Alphonsi for a soft try and with Barras claiming her second touchdown on the stoke of 39 minutes after a superb dummy that foxed France’s defence England led 31-0 at half-time.

The hosts, however, weren’t able to close the door on France completely as they have against all their other Six Nations opponents this season. The tourists claimed their first-try five minutes into the second-half when scrum-half Pujol Julie found some space for skipper Sartini Estelle. The fly-half then off-loaded to number eight Plantet Delphine, who broke through a soft England tackle to score on the left wing.

England bounced back with Waterman’s third try on 69 minutes as she moved from the wing to scrum-half. Andrew converted and even though France came back with a late 77 minute try by Christelle Le Duff it was England celebrating at the final whistle.

England:

1 Rochelle Clark (Henley), 2 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3 Katy Storie (Blaydon), 4 Tamara Taylor (Thirsk), 5 Jo McGilchrist (Wasps), 6 Georgia Stevens (Clifton), 7 Maggie Alphonsi (Saracens) VC, 8 Catherine Spencer (Worcester), 9 Amy Turner (Wasps), 10 Karen Andrew (Saracens), 11 Sue Day (Wasps) C, 12 Rachel Burford (Saracens), 13 Claire Allan (Saracens), 14 Danielle Watermen (Clifton), 15 Charlotte Barras (Saracens). Replacements: 16 Emma Layland (Richmond), 17 Vanessa Gray (Wasps), 18 Sarah Beale (Leos), 19 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), 20 Katy McLean (Thirsk), 21 Michaela Staniford (Wasps), 22 Amber Penrith (Cardiff Quins).

Tries: Waterman (3), Barras (2), Alphonsi

Conversions: Andrew (4)

England score 5 tries in Irish romp

Ireland 0 England 32

England Women remain on track to defend their RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam crown following a 32-0 victory over Ireland in Limerick's Thomond Park.

Geoff Richards' side, still to concede a single point in this season's European tournament, ran in tries from skipper Sue Day, Georgia Stevens, Amy Turner, Maggie Alphonsi and Danielle Waterman with Thirsk fly-half Katy McLean adding seven points from the boot. The victory follows a 60-0 victory over Scotland and a 23-0 triumph over Italy.

England next take on France on March 11th at Old Albanians RFC. Wasps wing Day opened England's account with an 11th minute try. The score, which is her fourth touchdown of England's Six Nations campaign so far, was an impressive solo effort which saw the England captain dart 30 metres up-field and fend off several Irish defenders to touchdown. McLean missed the conversion but made amends minutes later with a successful penalty.

Clifton's Stevens handed England a 15-0 lead at the break after some constant forward pressure in Ireland's 22. Just before half-time the flanker came off the back of a ruck and dived over Ireland's line.

The one-way traffic continued after the restart with Wasps scrum-half Turner, returning to international action for the first time since England's appearance in the 2006 IRB Rugby World Cup in September, finding space on the left wing to dive over the line. Again, it had been England's forwards that had handed the tourists the attacking platform and after some sustained pressure Turner went over. McLean added the conversion.

IRB Female Personality of the Year Alphonsi claimed England's next score when some more forward pressure, and some particular good work from locks Jo McGilchrist and Tamara Taylor, saw England drive their way up-field. Ireland's line finally crumbled and Alphonsi came up from the back of a ruck to muscle her way over for England penultimate try.

England's final touchdown came courtesy of Clifton wing Danielle Waterman who was set-up by Turner. At the back of a maul the scrum-half drew in Ireland's defence before popping the ball out to Waterman on the right wing.

Head coach Richards said: "This was a good win and I am of course delighted that we still haven't conceded a single point. We controlled the ball well today and dominated possession as well as scrummaged well in difficult wet and windy conditions. The forwards were certainly outstanding today, in particular our locks. "We were a little disappointed after our game against Italy, but we have made a step up today across all areas."

England team

1 Vanessa Gray (Wasps), 2 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3 Katy Storie (Blaydon), 4 Tamara Taylor (Thirsk), 5 Jo McGilchrist (Wasps), 6 Georgia Stevens (Clifton), 7 Maggie Alphonsi (Saracens) VC, 8 Catherine Spencer (Worcester), 9 Amy Turner (Wasps), 10 Katy McLean (Thirsk), 11 Danielle Waterman (Clifton), 12 Rachel Burford (Saracens), 13 Claire Allan (Saracens), 14 Sue Day (Wasps) (C), 15 Charlotte Barras (Saracens). Replacements: 16 Emma Layland (Richmond), 17 Sophie Hemming (Clifton), 18 Sarah Beale (Leos), 19 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), 20 Karen Andrew (Saracens), 21 Michaela Staniford (Wasps), 22 Amber Penrith (Cardiff Quins). Tries: Day, Stevens, Turner, Aphonsi, Waterman Conversions: McLean (2) Penalties: McLean Substitutions: Hemming for Gray (40), Beale for Spencer (60), Staniford for Allan (68), Hunter for Alphonsi (68), Layland for Garnett (68), Andrew for McLean (76), Penrith for Waterman (76)

Ireland team

1. Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemian), 2 Jess Limbert (Cooke), 3 Marie Barrett (Highfield), 4 Caroline Mahon (UL Bohemian), 5 Germaine Healy (Rathdrum), 6 Eimear O'Sullivan (Clonakilty), 7 Sinead Ryan (Navan), 8 Orla Brennan (Blackrock), 9 Louise Beamish (UL Bohemian), 10 Jo O'Sullivan (Richmond), 11 Grace Davitt (Blackrock), 12 Shannon Houston (Blackrock), 13 Lynne Cantwell (Richmond), 14 Jeannette Feighery (UL Bohemian), 15 Sarahjane Belton (c) (UL Bohemian). Replacements: 16 Yvonne Nolan (Blackrock), 17 Laura Guest (Clonakilty), 18 Debbie Clarke (Blackrock), 19 Rachel Boyd (Cooke), 20 Nicole Fitzgerald (UL Bohemian), 21 Mairead Kelly (UL Bohemian), 22 Amanda Greensmith (Shannon). Referee: Huw David (WRU) Touch judge: Jude Quinn (IR) Touch judge: Leo Mayne (IR)

England beat Italy for win number two

England 23 Italy 0

England women maintained their clean sheet in the RBS 6 Nations and stayed on course to defend their Grand Slam campaign with a 23-0 victory over Italy at Twickenham Stadium.

Geoff Richards’ side ran in three tries and kicked eight points against an Italian side that were making their Twickenham bow on the hallowed turf of England rugby’s HQ.

Although it was another win for the 2006 Rugby World Cup finalists, who defeated Scotland 60-0 a week before at Old Albanians RFC, it was far from a polished performance and England will be looking to step up a gear for their next game against Ireland in two weeks time at Thomond Park.

Saracens fly-half Karen Andrew opened England’s account with an early penalty on six minutes, but with England’s nerves apparently jangling in the Twickenham arena several opportunities were lost, and the home side had to wait until the 21st minute to cross Italy’s line.

Skipper Sue Day was once again the scorer, having claimed two tries a week earlier. The Wasps wing took an impressive spin-ball from Saracens fullback Charlotte Barras on the counter attack and Day, showing her turn in speed, then jinxed her way through the Azurri’s defence to touchdown on the left wing.

Andrew missed the conversion and England were kept on their toes by the tourists who were not lacking in any creativity, just execution.

With 30 minutes gone England, however, also began to settle into their game and some good work by the forwards set England up for an attack in the Italian’s 22. England’s pack were unable to break the try-line though and instead Clifton scrum-half Susie Appleby opted to recycle the ball out to the right wing through Andrew, Danielle Waterman, Day and then Barras who muscled her way over the line giving England a crucial boost ahead of the break.

For Italy though their afternoon began to take a turn for the worse, losing their captain Maria Cristina Sanfilippo to the sin-bin just before the break. Fullback Michela Tondinelli also missed Italy’s only chance of a penalty which was soon followed by the sin-binning of Sara Barattin. England, meanwhile, made the most of the substitute’s foul play with Andrew converting her second penalty.

With 52 minutes gone, an England line-out, catch and drive set the home side up for their third try but with the forwards unable to break the Italians defence Appleby again recycled the ball out to the right wing through Andrew, Rachel Burford, Day and then Waterman who touched down. Andrew added the conversion to make the final score 23-0.

Richards said: “It’s another win and we kept them scoreless and that is pleasing. We did make mistakes and showed a lack of control, whilst also struggling to get clean ball, but these are all things we will take away and learn from ahead of our next game against Ireland.

“Italy played well and tackled well and the fact they put 17 points on France a week ago shows they are a good side. They deserved to be here competing in the Six Nations and I hope they enjoyed playing at Twickenham in just their second Six Nations game. The crowd were certainly fantastic.”

England team

1 Sophie Hemming (Clifton), 2 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3 Katy Storie (Blaydon), 4 Tamara Taylor (Thirsk), 5 Jo McGilchrist (Wasps), 6 Georgia Stevens (Clifton), 7 Maggie Alphonsi (VC) (Saracens), 8 Catherine Spencer (Worcester), 9 Susie Appleby (Clifton), 10 Karen Andrew (Saracens),11 Danielle Waterman (Clifton), 12 Rachel Burford (Saracens), 13 Claire Allan (Saracens), 14 Sue Day (Wasps) (c), 15 Charlotte Barras (Saracens). Replacements: 16 Emma Layland (Richmond), 17 Vanessa Gray (Wasps), 18 Sarah Beale (Leos), 19 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), 20 Katy McLean (Thirsk),

21 Michaela Staniford (Wasps), 22 Amber Penrith (Cardiff Quins)

Tries: Day, Barras, Waterman,

Conversions: Andrew

Penalties: Andrew (2)

Substitutions: Penrith for Barras (40), Gray for Hemmking (53), McLean for Andrew (67), Layland for Garnett (70), Staniford for Day (70), Beale for Taylor (73), Hunter for Stevens (73).

Italy team

1 Elisa Cucchiella, 2 Licia Stefan, 3 Maria Cristina Sanfilippo (c), 4 Flavia Severin, 5 Sara Pettinelli, 6 Giovanna Bado, 7 Celeste Cristofanello, 8 Silvia Gaudino, 9 Valentina Schiavon, 10 Veronica Schiavon, 11 Sara Trilli, 12 Paola Zangirolami, 13 Silvia Pizzati, 14 Elisa Facchini, 15 Michela Tondinelli. Replacements: 16 Nadia Brannon, 17 Sara Zanon, 18 Paola Agostinelli, 19 Daniela Gini, 20 Gimena Panichelli, 21 Sara Barattin, 22 Sara Sala

Tries: Conversions:

Penalties:

Substitutions:

Half-time score: England Women 13 Italy Women 0

Referee: Nicky Inwood (NZ)

Touch Judge 1: Clare Daniels, Somerset

Touch Judge 2: Deborah Innes, Gloucester

England start with easy win

England Women 60 Scotland Women 0

Defending RBS Six Nations Grand Slam champions England kicked-off their campaign at a furious pace, running in 10 tries as they saw off Scotland 60-0 at Old Albanians RFC.

2006 Rugby World Cup finalist Charlotte Barras of Saracens christened her performance with a hat-trick of tries while club and country teammate Claire Allan also marked her England debut with a touchdown. Skipper Sue Day led by example with a brace of tries while Karen Andrew, Danielle Waterman, Catherine Spencer and Maggie Alphonsi all claimed scores.

England Six Nations Fixtures:

England v Scotland, February 3rd, kick-off 230pm at Old Albanians RFC WON 60-0

England v Italy, February 10th, at Twickenham

WON 23-0

Ireland v England, February 26th, kick-off 2pm at Thomond Park, Limerick

England v France, March 11th, kick-off 1.45pm at Old Albanians RFC

Wales v England, March 17th, kick-off 2.30pm at Taffs Wells, near Cardiff RFC