Round one of the Women’s Six Nations was jam-packed with action as England followed the men’s lead in defeating Ireland on home turf.
Meanwhile France launched their title defence with a mean display against Wales – forward Caroline Thomas helping herself to a hat-trick amongst the myriad of tries.
And Italy secured a bonus-point win of their own at Scotstoun as they delivered a strong second-half performance to see off Scotland.
In case you missed any of the action, here’s what happened:
Ireland 7-51 England
England sent out a statement of intent in their Women’s Six Nations opener against Ireland as they put a half century of points past Adam Griggs’ side.
The Red Roses had eight different try scorers in the game while Katy Daley-McLean notched 16 points as Simon Middleton’s side – second in last year’s Championship to Grand Slam winners France – switched on the afterburners to run in 38 second-half points.
England weren’t taking any prisoners, with Daley-McLean adding a try to her ever-growing collection of points after an excellent run, before duly stepping up to convert the extras.
But Ireland weren’t to be deterred, showing their perseverance as a procession of scrums from five metres out resulted in England purposefully collapsing the drive, with a penalty try awarded on the hour.
Emily Scott got her name on the scoresheet to add the finishing touches for England with the clock running down as she crossed out wide, with Bryony Cleall completing a dream debut with a last-minute score.
France 52-3 Wales
Caroline Thomas helped reigning Grand Slam winners France send out a message of their own as they got their title defence off to an emphatic start.
France crossed the whitewash on nine occasions with hooker Thomas notching a standout hat-trick as Les Bleues dominated from the driving maul.
The two sides traded penalties early on, Camille Imart making up for her earlier missed conversion for France before Robyn Wilkins got Wales on the board – but it was to be their only score of the game.
And the hosts wrapped up the bonus point before half-time, Ian Jason making the initial break before Imart spotted Lea Murie in space, finding her with a cross-field kick for France’s fourth.
Just as Wales looked as though they were about to grab their first try of the contest, Wilkins saw a pass on the France line intercepted.
Substitute Doriane Constanty then carried the whole length of the pitch to score, before Murie crossed for her second, and France’s last.
Scotland 7-28 Italy
Italy began their Women’s Six Nations campaign with a bonus-point win over Scotland to draw level on points at the top of the table with France and England.
With the scores tied at the break, Italy ran in three scores in the second half to seal the extra point and put gloss on the scoreboard.
Scotstoun hearts were broken when Giada Franco’s step on the edge of her 22 opened up the field, with Beatrice Rigoni providing able support, receiving the ball gratefully to dot down and seal victory for the visitors.
Italy sealed their bonus point when Elisa Giordano crashed over from the back of the pack before Michela Sillari added a fourth conversion.
