England kicked off their Girls’s Six Nations title defence with an eight-try 48-0 trouncing of Italy in Parma regardless of having Sarah Beckett despatched off after simply 11 minutes.
The hosts, who’ve completed fifth the final two years, have been no match for the 2023 Grand Slam winners who picked up a bonus level as they started their quest for a sixth successive championship in model.
Beckett was dismissed early on for a harmful ruck clear-out however solely after changing into the primary girl to have her yellow card upgraded to a purple by the TMO ‘bunker’ system.
However it did little to hurt England’s probabilities as they eased right into a 10-point lead at half-time courtesy of tries from Hannah Botterman and Abbie Ward.
England, for whom captain Marlie Packer gained her one hundredth cap, picked up their efficiency after the break and added an additional six tries to seal a complete win.
Ellie Kildunne (two), Lark Atkin-Davies, Helena Rowland, Mackenzie Carson and Connie Powell all touched down regardless of the guests being decreased to 13 gamers within the 69th minute when Rowland was yellow-carded for head contact at a ruck.
