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Abby Dow scores four tries as England run in 12 to thump Italy
By PA
Four tries from Abby Dow and a hat-trick from Jess Breach fired England to a dominant 68-5 bonus-point victory over Italy at Franklin’s Gardens.
A much-changed England – following injuries to Poppy Cleall and Amber Reed and the retirement of captain Sarah Hunter – returned to the top of the Six Nations table.
Marlie Packer took over as Red Roses captain, Bristol lock Delaney Burns earned her first cap, Zoe Aldcroft replaced Hunter at number eight and Catherine O’Donnell stepped into the starting line-up to join Burns in the second row.
England were on the scoresheet within two minutes, capitalising on an error by the Italians to allow Breach to dot down, with Holly Aitchison adding the extras to hand the Grand Slam holders the early lead.
Italy replied quickly through Sara Tounesi from a driving maul but the hosts reasserted their dominance and by the 32-minute mark, had already secured their bonus point, making it 22-5 when a lovely feed from Sarah Bern set Claudia McDonald away for a pacey move across the whitewash.
England extended their lead before half-time and Tatyana Heard added her name to the scoresheet with a 45th-minute try, converted by Lagi Tuima.
It was not all good news for the hosts, however, as MacDonald was forced off with an apparent ankle injury and was replaced by Emma Sing, who soon converted a second try for Dow three minutes before the Harlequins winger dotted down for her third.
With an Italian comeback all-but impossible, England head coach Simon Middleton introduced seven players from his bench as Breach completed a hat-trick of her own.
Dow crossed for her fourth and skipper Packer added two more tries to make it 12 on the afternoon for her clinical England side.
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Latest Comments
GB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
Go to commentsTupaea is a natural 12. What is it with you kiwis and playing players out of their positions. Is that some sort of national sport? Is that on purpose? You’ve got an utility back and a winger at 12 and 13 respectivelly. You played Savea at 8 for ages, wasting the potential of one of the world’s three best players in the last 4-5 years.
ALB is equally effective at 12 and 13, so why not have him or Tupaea at 12, and Proctor at 13? God forbid you’d have two midfielders playing at their natural positions! There must be a law in New Zealand, that prohibits that. Small sample size, but Proctor walked on water in his international debut at 13.
But the kiwi selectors seem to love Rieko’s speed, so as long as the horse is fast enough, they decided they’ll teach him to climb trees anyway.
You don’t have a better 10 than BB and Mo’unga. DMac is a more instinctive attacker (almost as good as Mo’unga … almost), but doesn’t have BB’s game-controlling skills. You have and will lose games due to his aimless kicking and spur-of-the-moment inventions none of his team mates are able to read at the international pace. Works okay at Super Rugby level, doesn’t mean it’s transferable to test matches. But hey, suit yourself.
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