Scotland vs England LIVE: Women’s Six Nations result, final score and reaction
Follow live updates from the first match in the 2022 Women’s Six Nations at DAM Health Stadium
A Marlie Packer hat-trick helped England begin their Women’s Six Nations campaign with a 57-5 thrashing of Scotland. Simon Middleton’s side extended their remarkable winning streak to 19 matches after a nine-try triumph over their rivals in Edinburgh. Playing in the shadows of Murrayfield, Packer got the ball rolling for England and they went on to comfortably secure a bonus-point victory to start their pursuit of another Grand Slam title.
It took nine minutes for the defending champions to go over for the first time through Packer and Emily Scarratt kicked the conversion on her Test return after a broken leg last year. Scarratt would play 58 minutes and finish with a 10-point haul after England went over six times in the opening half. Packer claimed a first-half double with Poppy Cleall, Heather Cowell, Abby Dow and Leanne Infante also touching down to make it 38-5 at the break. Holly Aitchison and Connie Powell added further tries after the restart before prop Packer secured a personal treble after some assistance from the TMO.
Scotland suffered a heavy loss to their old foes but the score only told half the story, with Chloe Rollie’s early try able to give the home crowd something to shout about while a knock-on denied Rachel McLachlan a further effort in an overall display that showed they can build on last season’s fifth-place finish. Follow all the reaction from this Women's Six Nations opener with our live blog below:
England begin defence of Women’s Six Nations title with 52-point thrashing of Scotland
A Marlie Packer hat-trick helped England begin their Women’s Six Nations campaign with a 57-5 thrashing of Scotland.
Simon Middleton’s side extended their remarkable winning streak to 19 matches after a nine-try triumph over their rivals in Edinburgh.
Playing in the shadows of Murrayfield, Packer got the ball rolling for England and they went on to comfortably secure a bonus-point victory to start their pursuit of another Grand Slam title.
It took nine minutes for the defending champions to go over for the first time through Packer and Emily Scarratt kicked the conversion on her Test return after a broken leg last year.
Scarratt would play 58 minutes and finish with a 10-point haul after England went over six times in the opening half.
Full report here:
England begin defence of Six Nations title with thrashing of Scotland
Scotland 5-57 England: Marlie Packer scored a hat-trick of tries as the Red Roses ran riot despite an improved showing from the hosts
Full-time: Scotland 5-57 England
What a match Marlie Packer had! Over 25 tackles, 13 carries and three tries to boot.
It was also her 80th cap and she is celebrating Mother’s Day tomorrow! What a sensational match, if you look at her work rate across the park she was everywhere.
Here is her third try of match:
Full-time: Scotland 5-57 England
England have got their title defence off to the perfect start with a bonus-point victory over Scotland.
It will heap pressure on France, who will have to keep up with the Red Roses if they want a shot at the title. Of course England weren’t perfect today but they’ll be sharper after today’s match as it was the first time they have played since the autumn internationals.
It will also be a relief for them that Scarratt didn’t pick up any injuries and looked back to her best.
With Scotland’s performance also being impressive I can’t wait to see the race for third place this year. They look capable of beating everyone else and can give a game to France.
What a tournament!
Full-time: Scotland 5-57 England
Let’s talk about Scotland for the moment as it is easy to be swept up by England’s try haul.
The hosts played well today, better than they did last year. They were amazing at the breakdown and forced England to make simplistic errors.
The only thing they need to go better on is their conversion rate. They could have had three tries if they didn’t knock the ball on and with those the scoreline would be more reflective of their performance.
But they will take these learnings into their match against Wales next week.
Full-time: Scotland 5-57 England
Player of the Match Marlie Packer told the BBC: “Obviously it’s nice to get on the scoreboard but I couldn’t do it without the team. It’s quite fitting for my 80th cap and mother’s day tomorrow.
“I don’t enjoy the training side as much as the playing side! I enjoy who I play it with. They put their body on the line for me so I do it for them.”
Full-time: Scotland 5-57 England
Scotland couldn’t get over with England turning the ball over.
Well it’s another win for England, their 19th in a row! Apologies I hadn’t clocked up their consecutive wins correctly.
They got nine tries, a hat-trick from Marlie Packer, and their returning star Scarratt had a great game. England weren’t perfect though with some sloppy passes and some cheap penalties.
Quotes from Packer to come.
Scotland 5-57 England, 82 min
England look to get their tenth try of the match by trying to overpower a Scotland scrum but the hosts come away with it.
Scotland try to build from their own half, they kick away and England come away with it. But Scotland get a penalty at the ruck which means they can kick upfield with no danger of the game finishing as we are in the red now.
Can they get a consolation try here?
Scotland 5-57 England, 79 min
England looked to launch another attack but Reed knock it on. Scotland have come alive in reaction with Konkel leading the charge.
The Red Roses ensure slow ruck ball for the hosts and Scotland spot it with a cross field kick to Campbell - who has had a good game since coming on.
But Scotland knock-on again. England scrum - the set-piece working well for both teams today.
The hosts have made a change with Nelson coming off for Meryl Smith, who is winning her first cap.
Scotland 5-57 England, 76 min
Now it’s England’s turn to knock-on as Hunter can’t collect it. Scotland have been better in the ruck this half but they need to convert their opportunities.
Marlie Packer has been named Player of the Match. She has scored three tries, 23 tackles and 12 carries - a great match for the Saracens player!
Scotland on the attack now.
Scotland 5-57 England, 74 min
Scotland have the ball again, the tale of the half it seems, but can they actually get points on the board here?
England’s defence has been incredible but Scotland have shot themselves in the foot on many occasions. And they do so again as Nelson drops the ball and England come away with it.
The Red Roses going through the phases now.
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