The Red Roses began their 2024 Women’s Six Nations campaign this past weekend, as they recorded a resounding victory against Italy. England handed the Italians a 48-point hammering in their visit to Parma, in what was a solid start for John Mitchell’s side, after the opening round of the new season.
Amidst the plentiful tries that lit up the home of Zebre Parma, there were also a lot of learning curves for both sides out in Italy. Here we have selected a handful of talking points, from England’s inaugural win in the 2024 Championship.
5 THINGS WE LEARNED: ITALY 0-48 ENGLAND – 2024 WOMEN’S SIX NATIONS
1. MARLIE GETS HER MOMENT AS ENGLAND CAPTAIN ACHIEVES 100TH CAP
It was a moment to savour for England captain Marlie Packer, as she made her 100th test cap for the Red Roses in the opening match of the 2024 Women’s Six Nations. The mid week build up had been firmly focussed around the Saracen’s century, with Packer eager to get the match under her belt and lead her side to victory in Parma. Packer received a strong reception from the travelling fans, as the back-row exploded out onto the pitch with her side in support.
Packer came narrowly close to scoring the opening try of the match, as England reverted back to their tried and tested rolling maul. Packer was at the back of the maul, yet with no road to the try-line in sight shipped the ball to Botterman, who in turn fumbled the ball for an Italian let off. Packer was given a standing ovation from her teammates, family and friends out in Parma, as she departed the pitch for the incoming debutant Maddie Feaunati at the hour mark.
A solid army of Packer’s supporters flew out for the centurion appearence, as the back-row led from the front out in Italy.
2. ZOE ALDCROFT AND ABBIE WARD RE-KINDLE THEIR PARTNERSHIP IN THE ROW
When John Mitchell named his Red Roses squad for the 2024 Women’s Six Nations, he excited England fans by bringing back a trio of experienced players for the opener against Italy. Emily Scarratt and Zoe Harrison returned from injury to start in the back-line, whilst lock Abbie Ward made her first test match appearence at second row. The Bristol Bear recently welcomed baby Hallie to the world, and has been in strong form since returning to the pitch at Ashton Gate.
Ward carried this momentum forward to her test match return, as she partnered up with another returning Red Rose. Zoe Aldcroft was back in action against Italy, after battling back from an MCL knee injury over the previous weeks. The two locks packed down the engine room, and had to put in an additional shift when England’s scrum dropped to seven following the sending off to number eight Sarah Beckett after just 11 minutes. Ward thought she had scored England’s first try of the match, yet had her 16th minute score chalked off for double movement in the build-up.
Ward was able to get her name on the scoreboard soon after, with a try coming in similar fashion, albeit awarded by the referee. Ward finished off a series of short drives from the Red Roses, and muscled her way over from close range to double England’s advantage ahead of the half-time break.