Last year’s sole unbeaten side at the festival, France were the only team to win both opening games while England won against Ireland and drew with Italy.
Le Azzurrine looked set for victory against England but their opponents scored late and levelled the scores through Natalee Evans’ successful conversion.
Hosts Wales took the scalp of Scotland while Ireland came out convincing winners against Italy.
England 19–12 Ireland
England got their festival off to a perfect start with a 19-12 win over Ireland.
Ellie Wilson put England ahead inside two minutes but Ireland soon struck back through Caitriona Finn who added her own extras to put the scores level.
Alma Atagamen gave Ireland the lead after powering over from five metres out leaving England’s defence in her wake.
Sarah Parry timed a run to perfection in the 28th minute to edge England in front before Abigail Pritchard sealed the win with her side’s third try of the game.
Italy 19–19 England
Following a quick turnaround, England clawed back to draw 19-19 with the clock in red against Italy.
Elisa Cecati put Italy ahead but Solana Shaw de Leon found a reply 10 minutes later after latching on to a Natalee Evans kick which was dropped by Le Azzurrine .
Vittoria Zeni gifted Italy another advantage following a brilliant scrum but England struck back immediately through Iley Bailey, though they could not convert.
With the rain pouring in North Wales, Alice Antonazzo extended Italy’s lead but a quick tap from a scrum penalty helped Isabel van der Straaten put England within two in the dying seconds before Evans’ extras levelled the scores.
Ireland 20-0 Italy
Ireland scored four tries without reply as they secured a comfortable 20-0 win over Italy at the midway point of the festival.
Ireland asked early questions of Italy’s defence on the chase of a kick as Emma Brogan broke away with the ball to dot down for the opening try.
Sarah Purcell doubled Ireland’s lead with an explosion of pace down the left as Alma Atagamen proved unstoppable for Ireland’s third.
Leah Irwin finished the fixture in style with a late score as Ireland cruised to victory.
France 34-0 Scotland
France ran rampant against Scotland with a 34-0 victory thanks to a dominant performance.
Les Bleues injected some early pace as Agnes Nau and Perrine Fagnen gave France a strong advantage in the opening seven minutes
Maud Barcelot added another on the left side and Cherrazade Saiki and Fagnen helped build the lead.
Jade Gamon put her name on the scorers’ list with a charging run from the halfway line to round off a convincing victory.
Wales 12-31 France
France made it two impressive wins from two with a 31-12 victory over hosts Wales.
Anna Daniel broke the deadlock on the 10-minute mark and the lock came in on the shoulder for her second as France shifted their tempo up another gear.
Emy Baudru skipped over to extend the lead but Wales found a way through when Shanelle Williams forced her way over the line.
France shone again, this time when Faustine Piscicelli got in behind through a change of pace and Kalea Berroyer came in even quicker on the wing for another try.
Evie Hill added a score for Wales with the clock in red, determinedly powering through France’s defence.
Scotland 0-12 Wales
Wales won a hard-fought contest against Scotland 12-0 in front of a home crowd.
The hosts were denied by a stubborn Scottish defence in the early stages but Seren Lockwood soon found a gap to open the scoring in the 11th minute.
Jorja Aiono saw a second yellow in the latter stages for a high tackle but Wales still continued to apply pressure with 14 on the pitch.
Wales sealed their win in the closing seconds with a Ffion Davies try after Rhiannon Griffin was unselfish with her pass.
