England got their 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations campaign off to the perfect start with a dominant win against Italy, laying the foundations for a successful Championship.

It was Azzurre fly-half Veronica Madia who got the final game of Round 1 underway, but it was England who came out firing. A fierce defensive set forced an early Italian handling error and from there, the Red Roses didn’t look back.

With just five minutes gone, England turned defence into attack, marching upfield before Mia Venner – fresh from a standout season with Gloucester-Hartpury – crashed over for the Championship’s opening try. Emma Sing added the extras from the touchline to make it 7-0.

Barely two minutes later, England went wide once again, Venner threatening down the right touchline. Italy’s full-back Vittoria Minuzzi did superbly to drag the winger down with a desperate tap tackle, but England recycled quickly. Italy couldn’t hold out as Emily Scarratt powered over from close range. Sing stayed perfect from the tee – 14-0 with less than ten minutes played.

Italy struggled to contain England’s relentless power, and when the maul rumbled towards the line, it looked like Rosie Galligan had added another. Referee Precious Pazani went upstairs, and though the try was ruled out for a knock-on, there was no reprieve for Italy.

Hooker Gaia Gurioli was penalised for coming in from the side and changing her bind illegally – a move that prevented a likely score. The decision was clear: penalty try, and a yellow card for Gurioli.

England had wrapped up their bonus point — the first of the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations — by the 28th minute, and it came in some style. Holly Aitchison produced a pinpoint cross-field kick, perfectly weighted for Claudia MacDonald to gather at full tilt. The winger stepped inside the final defender to score England’s fourth try. Sing couldn’t quite add the extras, her conversion drifting just wide, but the Red Roses were cruising at 26-0.

Italy refused to lie down and finally found their reward after sustained pressure close to the England line. It was powerful No.8 Francesca Sgorbini who forced her way over to get the Azzurre on the board. Beatrice Rigoni’s conversion attempt slipped wide, leaving the score at 26-5.

England had crossed for their fifth try of the afternoon just minutes before the break, capitalising on an Italian overthrow at the lineout. Amy Cokayne was quickest to react, scooping up the loose ball just metres out to dive over.

This time, Sing made no mistake with the conversion, extending England’s lead to 39-5.

With the clock in the red, Helena Rowland sent the ball sailing into the stands to bring the first half to a close in York.

England had ground through the second half to seal victory in their opening Six Nations clash.

The second half had proved a much tougher contest, with both teams plagued by handling errors and discipline issues. But it had been England who broke the deadlock in the 78th minute, with Lizzie Hanlon-Sing finishing off a superbly worked move.

After a series of powerful carries and quick ruck recycling, it was slick handling from the experienced Scarrett that had set up Sing to run in untouched for England’s sixth try of the day. However, the conversion attempt from out wide had sailed wide of the posts, leaving the score at 38-5.

Maddie Feaunati had been deservedly named Guinness Player of the Match, following a standout performance in which she carried 14 times for over 110 metres, constantly making hard yards for her side.

As the final whistle blew, England had emerged with a 38-5 win to kick-start their Six Nations campaign. While the second half hadn’t been their best performance, the job had been done, and the bonus point had been secured.

England: 1 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens), 2 Amy Cokayne (Leicester Tigers), 3 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury), 4 Rosie Galligan (Saracens), 5 Lilli Ives Campion (Loughborough Lightning), 6 Zoe Aldcroft (capt.) (Gloucester-Hartpury), 7 Marlie Packer (Saracens), 8 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Cheifs), 9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins), 10 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning), 11 Claudia MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs), 12 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears), 13 Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning), 14 Mia Venner (Gloucester Hartpury), 15 Emma Sing (Gloucester Hartpury).

Replacements: 16 May Campbell (Saracens), 17 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears), 18 Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears), 19 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears), 20 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning), 21 Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs) 22 Jade Shekells (Gloucester Hartpury, GB Sevens), 23 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins).

Italy: 15. Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 37 caps) 14. Aura Muzzo (Villorba Rugby, 49 caps) 13. Alyssa D'Inca (Villorba Rugby, 26 caps) 12. Beatrice Rigoni (Sale Sharks, 79 caps) 11. Francesca Granzotto (Unione Rugby Capitolina, 16 caps) 10. Veronica Madia (Rugby Colorno, 52 caps) 9. Sofia Stefan (Captain, Sale Sharks, 91 caps) 8. Francesca Sgorbini (ASM Romagnat Rugby, 28 caps) 7. Isabella Locatelli (Rugby Colorno, 51 caps) 6. Beatrice Veronese (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 22 caps) 5. Giordana Duca (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 52 caps) 4. Valeria Fedrighi (Rugby Colorno, 58 caps) 3. Sara Seye (Ealing Trailfinders, 27 caps) 2. Laura Gurioli (Villorba Rugby, 13 caps) 1. Silvia Turani (Harlequins, 37 caps).

Replacements: 16. Vittoria Vecchini (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 31 caps) 17. Emanuela Stecca (Villorba Rugby, 13 caps) 18. Gaia Maris (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 32 caps) 19. Sara Tounesi (Montpellier Herault Rugby, 43 caps) 20. Giada Franco (Rugby Colorno, 32 caps) 21. Alia Bitonci (Valsugana Rugby Padova, debutant) 22. Emma Stevanin (Valsugana Rugby Padova, 19 caps) 23. Beatrice Capomaggi (Villorba Rugby, 19 caps)