England start WXV1 defence with win over USA

WXV - United States v England

United States (7) 21

Tries: Kelter 2, Zackary Cons: Hawkins 3

England (28) 61

Tries: Atkin-Davies, Kildunne 2, Brock, Matthews, Westcombe-Evans, Talling, Breach, Wyrwas Cons: Harrison 8

England helping Bo Westcombe-Evans scored connected her debut arsenic England started their WXV1 defence with a nine-try triumph implicit the United States successful Canada.

Despite a dilatory start, the Red Roses inactive managed 4 first-half tries, including a sensational solo effort from full-back Ellie Kildunne, who scored twice.

Victory besides extends John Mitchell's side's winning tally to 18 games.

Hooker Lark Atkin-Davies opened the scoring earlier Kildunne's wonderment try, which was cancelled retired by Alev Kelter's ain idiosyncratic score.

On her archetypal Red Roses start, flanker Georgia Brock grabbed the Red Roses' 3rd try, with Alex Matthews, successful her archetypal crippled arsenic England captain, scoring the fourth.

At the commencement of the 2nd half, Kelter got her second, but Westcombe-Evans' crisp decorativeness successful the country enactment breathing abstraction betwixt the sides.

The United States refused to spell distant arsenic skipper Kate Zackary went implicit for her side's 3rd try.

But JMitchell's broadside finished powerfully done tries from Morwenna Talling, Jess Breach, Kildunne and replacement Ella Wyrwas.

England’s 2nd crippled successful WXV1 comes against New Zealand, who they defeated earlier this period astatine Allianz Stadium, adjacent Sunday astatine 21:00 BST.

England, the satellite fig 1 side, are dense favourites to support the inaugural rubric they won past twelvemonth successful New Zealand.

Head manager Mitchell utilized the crippled to rotate his squad aft comfy victories successful WXV1 warm-up matches against France and satellite champions New Zealand.

It was a dilatory and error-filled commencement from some sides, earlier a clever line-out determination led to Atkin-Davies scoring successful the corner.

Mitchell decided to remainder skipper Marlie Packer and prima helping Abby Dow for the opener, leaving it to Kildunne - different 1 of his regular apical performers - to nutrient the required magic.

The full-back took the shot successful her ain fractional and weaved astir a fig of defenders, showing a cleanable brace of heels to finish.

But thing Kildunne tin do, Kelter tin bash better. The United States centre regathered her ain spot footwear and stepped astir a fig of Red Roses to rapidly respond.

After each that magic, Kelter past talented England a 3rd try, dropping the shot for flanker Brock to pounce for a archetypal Test try, which was followed by a crisp decorativeness from Matthews.

Ranked eighth successful the world, the USA suffered dense defeats by New Zealand and Canada successful this year's Pacific Four Series and showed lessons had been learned from the loses, remaining competitory to people doubly successful the 2nd half.

Debutant Westcombe-Evans remained a menace passim the crippled and contempt being touted for her attacking quality impressed besides successful defence.

Fly-half Zoe Harrison, who started the Rugby World Cup last decision by the Black Ferns successful 2022, was brought successful to commencement lone her 2nd crippled for the Red Roses since recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. She kicked effortlessly from the tee - missing lone 1 conversion.

Since her injury, England person struggled from the kicking tee, which whitethorn enactment unit connected regular starting fly-half Holly Aitchison, who struggled astatine times during the Six Nations.

Tougher tests are to travel against the Black Ferns and hosts Canada, erstwhile Mitchell volition apt bring backmost his main starters.

United States: Mataitoga; Emba, Henrich, Kelter, Thomas; Hawkins, Tukuafu; Rogers, Treder, Jacoby, Jarrell, Taufoou, Brody, Zackary (capt), Johnson.

Replacements: Stathopoulos, Benson, Sagapolu, Allen, Ehrecke, Pyrz, Fa'avesi, Feury.

England: Kildunne; Westcombe-Evans, Scarratt, Murray, Breach; Harrison, Packer; Carson, Atkin-Davies, Bern, Galligan, Ward, Talling, Brock, Matthews (capt).

Replacements: Cokayne, Clifford, Muir, Aldcroft, Feaunati, Wyrwas, Aitchison, Rowland.

Referee: Aurelie Groizeleau (Fra)