Scotland v England: Talking points as the Red Roses score 12 tries at Murrayfield

A ruthless 12-try England performance put any talk of the Red Roses’ injury issues behind them and left Scotland wondering what was next after a disappointing home performance.

An attendance of 30,498 people smashed the previous Scottish record for a standalone women’s sporting event. But only England ensured that the game was a spectacle as the world champions registered their 84-7 win to claim a second bonus point win in a row at this year’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations.

It took just seven minutes for the Red Roses to open the scoring as Ellie Kildunne crossed the try line. By the first half’s end the Harlequins full-back had bagged another, as did Meg Jones, Kelsey Clifford and Emma Sing.

Rhona Lloyd’s effort on the stroke of half-time sent Scotland fans into the break with plenty of hope in their hearts. Hearts that were shattered as England saw Sarah Bern dot down twice, as well as Emma Sing, Amy Cokayne, Marlie Packer, Sadia Kabeya, Mia Venner and Haineala Lutui efforts in the second half.

Here are three talking points from the match…

Feaunati provides much-needed spark

There are a few England performances you could highlight from this game. Like how Abi Burton seamlessly stepped in at lock forward or Demelza Short’s strong debut in the back-row. But it is Maddie Feaunati that really personified a dominant England performance in Scotland’s capital city.

Put plainly, she bossed it from minute one to minute 80. It was the perfect complete performance from an England No.8, who stepped into the big shoes of Alex Matthews and filled them admirably. For so much of the contest the 23-year-old was England’s lynchpin. The perfect interchange between forwards and backs.

When you consider the lengthy England injury list Feaunati provided the perfect tonic as others performed equally as admirably.

A quick look over the stats sheet you see that Feaunati, unsurprisingly, carried the ball more than anyone else in the England team [17]. She even made the second-most metres [97m] to Emma Sing [110m].

Upon receiving her Player of the Match award, Feaunati said: “It felt really good and it was good to get out there with the girls at Murrayfield, what an amazing occasion. I am super proud of the girls, everyone was outstanding. The starters set the tone, the bench came on and scored tries and executed their role really well.”

Scotland fail to fizzle at landmark fixture

The scene was set. Shortly before kick-off it was confirmed that over 30,000 tickets had been sold for the Scottish Gas Murrayfield clash. Edinburgh heaved with supporters donning rugby shirts, tartan and humming Flower of Scotland. Even the theatrics of pre-match entertainment took Scottish anticipation to greater heights. Then kick-off, and it all fell away.

There was no lack of desire. Rhona Lloyd’s try on the stroke of half-time was proof of that. But did not wipe away the wing’s two missed tackles as the Red Roses put pedal to the metal with an Ellie Kildunne brace and efforts from Megan Jones, Kelsey Clifford and Emma Sing put the result beyond doubt at the halfway point.

The intensity that Scotland head coach Sione Fukofuka wanted to see his team perform with did arrive until the 60-minute mark as the Scots landed two huge tackles. Even then it was a flurry and it was just a matter of time until Marlie Packer burst over the try line.

Then the hosts fell apart. The Red Roses scored three more tries before the final whistle. It was a battering usually only reserved for Mars Bars. A worst loss to England since 2011 [89-0]. The second-most points a Scotland Women’s team has ever conceded.

The only silver lining? That new attendance record. But that is clutching at straws.

Back three reshuffle allows England to thrive

Ahead of the Women’s Six Nations, England boss John Mitchell had discussed his desire to include Emma Sing in his squads more. The only issue there was getting the “balance right”.

This weekend the Kiwi put the Gloucester Hartpury in from the start at her favoured full-back position and placed Ellie Kildunne on the wing. As Kildunne claimed two first-half tries, you could argue that the shift around worked.

Sing was able to capture the form that has made her Premiership Women’s Rugby’s top player for much of the past three years. Whether that was with her footwork or ability to find a soft shoulder and put her teammates into space, the 25-year-old was provided the opportunity to shine. Which she duly did.

Unencumbered by her usual post of full-back, Kildunne’s brief for the afternoon was to attack. The 26-year-old’s raw speed slingshotted her over the whitewash and constantly provided line breaks. And, while Jess Breach did not get add to her tally of tries, there was nothing inherently wrong with the 28-year-old’s performance. This could well be the England back three that starts at Ashton Gate Stadium in a week’s time.