England 62-24 Wales - Red Roses Player Ratings from Women's Six Nations win
Rugby NewsSunday, 26 April 2026 at 10:21
By Megan Carthew at Ashton Gate
The World Champions, England exert dominance scoring ten tries over a solid Welsh side which saw the return on Alisha Joyce-Butchers, a try scoring bonus point and score the most points over England they ever have before.
Welsh-Born England Captain Meg Jones bagged herself a brace alongside an experienced Marlie Packer who joins Jess Breach in third for England top try scorers, while Millie David scores on debut despite leaving the field of play 20 minutes into the game after failing to pass her head injury assessment.
Full Time Score: England 62–24 Wales
A fiery start from both sides with England having put themselves on the attack almost instantly but the Welsh defence handled it well.
England open the scoring six minutes in with a Maddie Feaunati creating and scoring the first points of the game after a beautiful phase of play by the forward pack. Helena Rowland gets the kick between the sticks giving England the full seven points.
Wales tried to respond quickly with winger Jasmine Joyce-Butchers making a great run however the English defence shut it down almost immediately, and turned into an attack, with England getting the second try of the game scored by Bristol Bear winger and debutant Millie David.
Only four minutes later, the visitors get their first points on the board with the Welsh scrum-half Keira Bevan flying over the tryline and adding on the extras closing the gap back down to five points.
With 21 minutes played England are forced into an early change with Demelza Short coming in for an injured Sadia Kabeya.
After a great interception by Amy Cokayne at the lineout placed England on the front foot once again, England reverted to what they know best, a driving maul, which saw Marlie Packer steam over the tryline for the Red Roses and with Helena Rowland successfully converting, the home sides lead widened.
Just three minutes after the Cardiff-Born England Captain Meg Jones bagged herself her first try of the game, growing the lead to 17 points. However, England are forced into another early substitution after debutant Millie David was replaced by Jess Breach after failing her head injury assessment.
A successful attack from Wales on the wing saw the points gap close to 12 points with hooker Kelsey Jones getting over the try line and earning Wales second try of the game. With five minutes remaining of the first half, Wales looked to finish the first half in a strong position and on the attack, however England’s dominance showed with a great run from Claudia Moloney-MacDonald gave Meg Jones her second try of the game.
Half Time Score: England 29–12 Wales
The Red Roses came out all guns blazing for the second half with Ellie Kildunne making one of her iconic runs almost immediately but the visitors defence deals with it well.
However, England continue to pile pressure on the Welsh defence, and once again the power of the Red Roses’ forward pack shows with hooker Amy Cokayne steaming over the try line, growing the lead to 24 points.
With England growing dominant, Wales go down to 14 with Welsh Full Back Kayleigh Powell getting sent to the bin.
Less than a minute later, things seem to go from bad to worse with Claudia Maloney-Macdonald exploiting the space in the Welsh Defence growing the points deficit alongside Welsh replacement Catherine Richards being forced off with injury.
The Red Roses found their rhythm and what seemed to be the flood gates opening, England continued to launch relentless waves of attack on the Welsh defence with replacement Jess Breach pumping the gas and getting England’s 8th try of the game.
Despite a disallowed try for Claudia Maloney-Macdonald, England didn't let that stem the momentum and two minutes later the forwards were called into action and Marlie Packer added a second try to her tally, and with Zoe Harrison adding the extras the lead grew to 43 points.
With Wales finally given a small period of possession they did make the most of it, coming away seven points with Bethan Lewis finding the try line and Keira Bevan successfully converting. However, the ruthless Red Roses responded quickly with a try of their own from replacement prop Maud Muir.
Despite an absolute dominant display from England, the Welsh side held out and bagged themselves a try with Seren Lockwood storming over the tryline in the final minute of the game.
England: 62
Tries: Feaunati (6’) David (12’) Packer (24’ 68’) Jones (27’ 39’) Cokayne (45’) Maloney-Macdonald (52’) Breach (62’) Muir (75’)
Conversions: Rowland (6’ 25’ 46’) Harrison (63’ 69’ 76’)
Starting XV: 1 Mackenzie Carson, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Abi Burton, 5 Delaney Burns, 6 Sadia Kabeya, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Maddie Feaunati, 9 Lucy Packer, 10 Holly Aitchison, 11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, 12 Helena Rowland, 13 Megan Jones (c), 14 Millie David, 15 Ellie Kildunne
Replacements: 16 Connie Powell, 17 Kelsey Clifford, 18 Maud Muir, 19 Haineala Lutui, 20 Demelza Short, 21 Flo Robinson, 22 Zoe Harrison, 23 Jess Breach
Wales: 24
Tries: Bevan (16’) Jones (32’) Lewis (73’) Lockwood (80’)
Conversions: Bevan (17’ 74’)
Yellow Cards: Powell (51’)
Starting XV: 1 Gwenllian Pyrs, 2 Kelsey Jones, 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 4 Jorja Aiono, 5 Gwen Crabb, 6 Branwen Metcalfe, 7 Bethan Lewis (c), 8 Bryonie King, 9 Keira Bevan, 10 Lleucu George, 11 Jasmine Joyce-Butchers, 12 Jenna De Vara, 13 Courtney Keight, 14 Seren Singleton, 15 Kayleigh Powell
Replacements: 16 Molly Reardon, 17 Maisie Davies, 18 Donna Rose, 19 Georgia Evans, 20 Alisha Joyce-Butchers, 21 Seren Lockwood, 22 Freya Bell, 23 Catherine Richards
England Player Ratings:
15 Ellie Kildunne - 6
The superstar fullback performed well today making some great runs, line breaks, and attacking phases of play, however, other backs had a more outstanding game.
14 Millie David (off at 19) - 6
The 20-year-old Bristol Bear Winger, showed everyone what she’s made of, scoring on her debut. While I would’ve liked to rate her higher, she only played 19 minutes before being forced off with a head injury however, in that short span of time she showed the international stage the talent she shows in the PWR week in week out.
13 Megan Jones - 8
What a game for the England Captain, she controlled and led the game well, especially when England were forced into early substitutions with injuries to Millie David and Sadia Kabeya. Along with her leadership helping guide England to victory, she also scored a brace against the nation in which she was born and bred.
12 Helena Rowland (off at 60) - 6
A mixed game for the Loughborough Lightning centre, who had some struggles from the tee, only kicking three successful conversions from seven attempts.
11 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald - 7
An outstanding game from the winger, who plays her club rugby down with Exeter Chiefs. She proved to be dangerous on the wing, exploiting any space left by the Welsh defence, which eventually paid off with her flying over the score line in the 52nd minute.
10 Holly Aitchison - 5
The fly-half had a solid game, nothing overly standout but played well and ensured she did her role well within the team.
9 Lucy Packer (off at 53) - 6
A strong game from the fly half who like her captain also originates from the opposition nation. During her time on the pitch, she worked well to ensure the pace of the game and speed of ball was quick allowing for rapid waves of attack to be launched by the Red Roses
1 Mackenzie Carson (off at 53) - 6
The prop had a decent game, having played a key part in the success of the English scrums and the Red Roses’ trademark driving maul.
2 Amy Cokayne (off at 53) - 7
The experience of the Sale Shark hooker shined through, with Cokayne playing a vital role in the lineouts and scrummaging as well making key interceptions which helped ensure England continued their momentum during the game.
3 Sarah Bern (off at 53) - 6
The Bristol Bear prop had a solid game showing her ability to thunder through her opposition’s defence while also playing a key role in the success of the scrummaging and driving mauls which the red roses are most known for in the rugby world.
4 Abi Burton (off at 60) - 5
A good game from the Trailfinders’ back rower, playing a role in the successful England lineouts alongside putting in some big tackles and carries throughout the game.
5 Delaney Burns - 5
After three years since here last cap, Delaney Burns returned to the international stage, and played decent, working well with her fellow forward pack to dominate the Welsh side.
6 Sadia Kabeya (off at 21) - 3
Unfortunately, the Loughborough Lightening back rower was forced off the pitch with a shoulder injury having played just 20 minutes therefore not leaving much to judge on.
7 Marlie Packer - 9
What a game from the experienced Saracens back rower. A player of the match worthy performance having played an incredible 80 minutes, scoring two tries and exploiting every ounce of space left by the opposition.
8 Maddie Feaunati - 7
An outstanding performance from the number eight, where she opened the scoring for the Red Roses having created the passage of play which led to her try.
Replacements:
Overall, all the substitutes made an impact on the game most notably Demelza Short and Jess Breach who were called into action much earlier than expected replacing injured Millie David and Sadia Kabeya. Jess Breach was joined by Maud Muir and Zoe Harrison on the score sheet where Breach and Muir made it over the try line and Harrison adding the extras.
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