England moved to within one victory of claiming a third successive Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam after a 34-5 defeat of Scotland at a rain-soaked Meggetland Stadium in Edinburgh on Saturday.
Michaela Staniford scored England’s opening try in the 14th minute following a well-worked lineout catch and drive, the wing then adding another try just before half time to give her side a 17-0 lead with prop Rochelle Clark having touched down in between.
Scotland capitalised on a missed tackle to start the second half in perfect fashion with second row Lindsay Wheeler making the break before prop Heather Lockhart picked up and drove over the line as England conceded their first try in 2008.
However that was as close as the hosts got to England on the scoreboard with wing Katherine Merchant scoring a fourth try minutes later, before replacement backs Claire Allan and Danielle Waterman crossed to complete the scoring.
“Scotland indeed raised their game today and defended furiously,” coach Gary Street said. “This was one of our tougher fixtures this season, though we know now that we will have to raise our game again head of Saturday’s Grand Slam decider against Ireland.”
Ireland last hurdle to clear
England have now scored 196 and conceded just 11 points in their four matches with Italy the only other side to have scored against the defending champions, who now face Ireland at Sunbury on Saturday with the Grand Slam theirs for the taking.
Ireland had seemed on course for a third victory in this year’s competition after establishing a 10-3 lead against Wales at St Mary’s College RFC in Dublin on Friday evening, but the visitors fought back to eventually win 19-10.
Non Evans had opened the scoring with a penalty before tries from prop Marie Barrett and number 8 Joy Neville gave Ireland that 10-3 advantage. However by half time it was Wales that went in leading 16-10 after another two Evans’ penalties and a try by Louise Rickard.
The Welsh wing, playing in her 99th international since making her debut against Canada back in 1993, scored just before the interval and although the visitors created several chances in the second half it was only a late Evans penalty that made certain of victory.
Second place up for grabs
Wales have now won three successive games since their opening 55-0 loss to England and know that victory over France at Taffs Well RFC in Cardiff on Saturday will see them finish as runners-up in the Championship.
France though will also have their sights set on that second spot, a position they currently occupy after bouncing back from a 31-0 loss to England a fortnight ago to beat Italy 35-6 at the Stade George Pompidou in Valence on Saturday.
Veronica Schiavon kicked two penalties for Italy, but in between France scored tries through Caroline Ladagnous, Anaïs Lagougine, Céline Allainmat, captain Estelle Sartini and Claire Canal to claim a third victory in this year’s Championship.
The defeat leaves Italy without a victory since joining the Women’s Six Nations in 2007, but that is something they will be hoping to address when they host Scotland – themselves winless in 2008 – at the Stadio Comunale in Mira on Saturday to end the Championship on a high.
Listen to an interview with Louise Rickard ahead of her 100th cap for Wales on Total Rugby Radio from Thursday 13 March at 18:00 UK time.
