Red Roses run in 15 tries on their way to victory
Starting captain Packer sent off for reckless tackle
England’s training camp went well, then. The Red Roses were fluent and efficient in scoring 15 tries as they steamrollered Spain in their first warmup match for the Women’s Rugby World Cup. They also displayed composure and good decision-making in their biggest ever win against these opponents, qualities that will be paramount for this vastly talented squad when the tournament begins.
On the downside the starting captain, Marlie Packer, was shown a red card for a reckless second-half tackle – an unhappy end to an outstanding individual performance by the openside – and the visiting full-back Claudia Peña got Spain on the scoreboard with a sniping second-half finish.
Aside from that it was a exercise in dogged defending for the visitors, and an afternoon for England to fine-tune attacking combinations. Helena Rowland, starting on the wing for England for the first time, scored a hat-trick while the prop Sarah Bern crossed twice in a dominant display.
