England enjoy second 10-try triumph in row

England notched their second straight 10-try win in defence of their World Cup title by over-powering Pool A rivals Italy 56-13.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Aug 2017, 19:31 BST
Updated 11th Sep 2017, 12:45 BST
Englands Tamara Taylor celebrates a try against Italy during their World Cup Pool B match in Dublin (Picture: Niall Carson/PA).Englands Tamara Taylor celebrates a try against Italy during their World Cup Pool B match in Dublin (Picture: Niall Carson/PA).
Englands Tamara Taylor celebrates a try against Italy during their World Cup Pool B match in Dublin (Picture: Niall Carson/PA).

Full-back Danielle Waterman scored a hat-trick and centre Emily Scarratt and winger Lydia Thompson went over twice each as a much-changed England followed up Wednesday’s 56-5 win against Spain in style at Billings Park, Dublin.

England coach Simon Middleton made 10 changes to the side that started in Wednesday’s opening game, but the defending champions showcased their strength in depth by running in another 10 tries.

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Waterman’s fine break set up centre Scarratt for the opening touchdown in the 10th minute and England made it 12-0 in the 16th minute when No 8 Alex Matthews went over.

Italy, beaten 29-15 by England in the recent Six Nations tournament, hit back through Veronica Schiavon’s penalty and then winger Maria Magatti out-sprinted the covering defence to reduce the deficit to 12-8.

England responded with a similarly well-worked try from Thompson, the winger’s 29th in international rugby, and just before the break flanker Marlie Packer’s storming run set up captain Amy Cokayne for another to make it 22-8 at half-time.

Two tries in three minutes soon after the restart from second row Tamara Taylor and Scarratt put England in control at 34-8 and Italy briefly rallied for their second try through forward Elisa Giordano.

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Waterman powered over to keep England well out in front and just after the hour-mark Middleton made a raft of changes, with Megan Jones, Harriett Millar-Mills, Heather Kerr, Vickii Cornborough and Sarah Hunter all entering the fray.

Waterman completed her hat-trick in the 64th minute, while Thompson touched down for her second and winger Amy Wilson-Hardy went over in the last minute to cap a comfortable win. Scarratt kicked two of her seven conversion attempts and Amber Hemp was successful with one from three.

Naya Tapper scored two tries as USA secured their second straight World Cup win in Pool B with a 43-0 victory against Spain.

The Americans touched down six times and were awarded a penalty try, but were made to fight hard before breaking Spain’s stubborn resistance.

Related topics:EnglandItalySpain