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Red Roses

7 Sep 2024 | 7 min |

Red Roses claim victory over France in Gloucester

The Red Roses ran six tries past Les Bleues to confirm a comfortable 38-19 win. Over 7,500 fans packed into Kingsholm Stadium as John Mitchell’s side showcased running rugby, with tries from Marlie Packer (2), Jess Breach (2), Helena Rowland and Lucy Packer - as well as eight points from the boot.

The Red Roses were forced to front up early, and put on an impressive defensive display, as the visitors threw multiple phases of attack at them inside the opening five minutes.

Momentum-shifting tackles from Alex Matthews and Zoe Aldcroft inspired the women in white to force turnovers however, and relieve pressure on their own line.

Captain Packer crossed for the game’s first try - her 47th - on the 10-minute mark, powering over from close range after the Red Roses had manipulated the French defence through smart running lines and metre-making breaks. Aitchison converted to make it 7-0. 

Seven minutes later England shifted the ball from the middle of the pitch into the hands of Kildunne, who broke away down field before taking a tackle. Quick ball was generated from the resulting ruck and Maddie Feaunati - on her first Test start - was found in space, and some neat footwork from the flanker successfully committed the defence before she offloaded into the path of Breach, who went over unchallenged.

France hooker Agathe Sochat was shown a yellow card midway through the first half for kicking the ball out of Natasha Hunt’s hands at the base of a ruck, and England capitalised on the extra player immediately. The backs were given ball off the back of a 10-metre line out, and Rowland punched her way through a gap and went under the sticks. Aitchison’s extras made it 19-0.

And although France flirted with England’s line on the stroke of half-time, they were unable to capitalise on the promising position.

The Red Roses resumed the Test with a trademark rolling maul try two minutes into the second half - Packer the benefactor at the back of a 10-metre shunt. Aitchison dissected the posts with her touchline conversion, stretching the lead to 26 points.

France hit back immediately in the same manner, with different execution, as Sochat dummied at the back of the French maul causing Amy Cokayne to leave a gap, which the hooker duly sniped through to score. Fly-half Tuy added the extras.

Breach bagged her second - and England’s fifth - on 50 minutes, after receiving a fine pass from Aitchison before rounding Boulard and dotting down in the corner.

France showed incredible scrum power as the hour mark passed, walking England’s pack back 10 metres against the head, with number eight Romane Menager picking it and pouncing over for a try. Tuy’s conversion cut the deficit to 17 points. 

Replacement scrum half Packer poached an easy try from one metre out, and Aitchison claimed her eighth point from the tee, as the game entered its final quarter.

Replacement Bourdon Sansus scampered over for a consolation try with 10 minutes remaining, as Zoe Harrison came on to earn her 50th Test cap, and Lilli Ives Campion her first. 

The West Country win marked England's fourteenth consecutive win against France. Next up for the Red Roses is the World Champion Black Ferns at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday 14 September.

Match day squad

15
Ellie Kildunne Profile Photo
Ellie
Kildunne
Harlequins Women
Caps
48
Age
25
14
Abigail Dow Profile Photo
Abby
Dow
Trailfinders Women
Caps
48
Age
27
13
helena-rowland
Helena
Rowland
Loughborough Lightning
Caps
34
Age
25
12
Tatyana Heard Profile Photo
Tatyana
Heard
Gloucester-Hartpury Womens RFC
Caps
26
Age
29
11
Jessica Breach Profile Photo
Jess
Breach
Saracens Women
Caps
43
Age
26
10
Holly Aitchison Profile Photo
Holly
Aitchison
Bristol Bears Women
Caps
35
Age
27
9
Natasha Hunt Profile Photo
Natasha
Hunt
Gloucester-Hartpury Womens RFC
Caps
76
Age
35
1
Hannah Botterman Profile Photo
Hannah
Botterman
Bristol Bears Women
Caps
51
Age
25
2
Amy Cokayne Profile Photo
Amy
Cokayne
Leicester Tigers Women
Caps
79
Age
28
3
Maud Muir Profile Photo
Maud
Muir
Gloucester-Hartpury Womens RFC
Caps
35
Age
23
4
Zoe Aldcroft Profile Photo
Zoe
Aldcroft
Gloucester-Hartpury Womens RFC
Caps
58
Age
27
5
Morwenna Talling Profile Photo
Morwenna
Talling
Sale Sharks Women
Caps
18
Age
22
6
Maddie Feaunati Profile Photo
Maddie
Feaunati
Exeter Chiefs Women
Caps
10
Age
22
7
Marlie Packer Profile Photo
Marlie
Packer
Saracens Women
Caps
108
Age
35
8
Alex Matthews Profile Photo
Alex
Matthews
Gloucester-Hartpury Womens RFC
Caps
72
Age
31

Replacements

16
Lark Atkin-Davies Profile Photo
Lark
Atkin-Davies
Bristol Bears Women
Caps
62
Age
29
17
Mackenzie Carson Profile Photo
Mackenzie
Carson
Gloucester-Hartpury Womens RFC
Caps
21
Age
26
18
Sarah Bern Profile Photo
Sarah
Bern
Bristol Bears Women
Caps
66
Age
27
19
Lilli Ives Campion Profile Photo
Lilli
Ives Campion
Loughborough Lightning
Caps
1
Age
21
20
Poppy Cleall Profile Photo
Poppy
Cleall
Saracens Women
Caps
66
Age
32
21
Lucy Packer Profile Photo
Lucy
Packer
Harlequins Women
Caps
26
Age
24
22
Zoe Harrison Profile Photo
Zoe
Harrison
Saracens Women
Caps
54
Age
26
23
Emily Scarratt Profile Photo
Emily
Scarratt
Loughborough Lightning
Caps
116
Age
34