England player ratings vs Samoa: Huge win for Red Roses to qualify for RWC quarter-finals

It was a blistering first half of attacking rugby, as England ran in seven tries within the opening 40 minutes. After missing out on the scoresheet in the Red Roses’ win over the USA, Meg Jones opened the try-scoring with a slicing run through Samoa’s defence after just three minutes. England wing Jess Breach followed up five minutes later with a trademark burst around the outside, bringing up her 50th England try in her 49th Test match.

Red Roses prop Sarah Bern showcased her unstoppable close-range power, muscling over in the 13th minute. Jones then claimed her brace with a strong fend and finish, securing England’s bonus point inside just 15 minutes. Maddie Feaunati added a 24th-minute score under the posts after England’s scrum shoved Samoa back over their own try-line.

The forwards continued to dominate, with hooker Lark Atkin-Davies crashing over from a rolling maul at the half-hour mark. Scrum-half Lucy Packer then spotted a gap and darted over from close range to round off the first-half scoring, as England took a commanding 47–0 lead into the break.

Samoa enjoyed a brief resurgence in the second half as England eased off for 10 minutes. The Pacific Islanders were overjoyed to get points on the board when fly-half Harmony Vatau slotted a penalty after a scrum infringement.

The respite was short-lived. Prop Kelsey Clifford powered over to reignite England’s charge, before Breach bagged her second try with support from the front row. Replacement prop Mackenzie Carson then crashed over from close range, followed by Helena Rowland, who added a try to her already impressive tally from the tee.

Marlie Packer added another from close range after Feaunati was stopped inches short, before Breach completed her hat-trick with a dazzling goose-step around Samoa’s defence. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald capped the 14-try rout with the final play, as Rowland slotted 11 conversions for a thunderous win at the home of Loughborough Lightning.

Final Score: England 92 – 3 Samoa

Tries (14): Jones (3’, 15’), Breach (8’, 53’, 73’), Bern (13’), Feaunati (24’), Atkin-Davies (29’), L. Packer (33’), Clifford (50’), Carson (60’), Rowland (65’), M. Packer (70’), Moloney-MacDonald (80’)

Conversions (11): Rowland (3’, 8’, 13’, 24’, 29’, 33’, 50’, 53’, 60’, 65’, 80’)

Penalties (1): Vatau (44’)

Clattered in an early tackle as Samoa left a mark on the fullback. Produced a brilliant carry down the left wing, linking well with Claudia Moloney-Macdonald in the back three. However, the effort was turned over, as Sing became isolated. She later dropped a high ball early in the second half, to the delight of the frenzied Samoa fans.

On the score-sheet after just eight minutes, as Breach bagged her 50th England try in fine fashion on her 49th cap. A darting run along the touchline gave the Samoan defenders no hope. Breach was turned over on the deck just before half-time, as Samoa found their feet late in the first 40. Over for her second score at 53 minutes thanks to a brilliant offload from Kelsey Clifford. Completed her hat-trick at the 75th minute with a stunning goose-step to explode around the wing.

Wasted no time making her mark after missing out on a score in the 11-try riot against the USA. Crossed first for England after just three minutes in Northampton, and soon added her second with a powerful fend and break. Received medical attention following a heavy hit at 27 minutes but played on strongly. Brilliant across both sides of the ball, the Trailfinders star paved the way for England.

Exploded into life with an early carry up the midfield. Sent a smart assist out wide for Breach’s first try and later delivered a well-weighted grubber into the in-goal, though she couldn’t ground it. Unlucky not to score herself in the 65th minute after keeping pace with Moloney-Macdonald’s break. A lively effort from the former Team GB and England Sevens standout.

A welcome return after a lengthy injury layoff. Confident in defence as well as attack, with a standout hit on Karla Wright-Akeli echoing around the stands in the 15th minute. Made a stunning break at the 65th minute to set up Rowland’s try. Breathless along the touchline, she was on fire in Northampton and got her long awaited try in the final play of the match.

A fan favourite at Franklin’s Gardens, the Loughborough Lightning star stepped up to start at fly-half. Excellent from the tee, landing 11 of 14 conversions. Added a try to her personal tally, slipping around the short side after Moloney-Macdonald’s break. A commanding performance at the helm of England’s backline, Rowland's presence was a measured head as the Red Roses could well have gotten complacent.

Controlled the first half with sharp tempo from the base. Packer's clever change of direction sent Breach in for England’s second try, before sniping over herself for England’s seventh. Showed serious talent — England’s halfback depth is enviable.

Helped England get moving early, popping a neat pass for Jones’s opener. Solid at scrum time, earning a 27th-minute penalty to underline England’s dominance. Scored her own try 10 minutes into the second half after England weathered a Samoan surge, and played a fine offload to Breach for her second try.

Accurate from the lineout despite torrential rain. Crossed for a try from a powerful rolling maul. Strong foundations in the first half, though caught out by Samoa’s resurgence up front after the break.

Sent a loose pass early on to gift Samoa possession but made up for it with her trademark close-range power to score England’s third. Struggled briefly against Samoa’s improved second-half scrum.

The Loughborough Lightning breakout star received a warm reception on home turf. Recently England U20s captain, she looked comfortable on the World Cup stage. Not a headline-grabbing performance, but a resilient effort against physical opposition.

Commanded the skies at the lineout, providing England with reliable ball in wet conditions. Worked hard across the gainline, matching Ives-Campion’s graft in the engine room.

Tested on the blindside, she matched Samoa’s physicality and made a series of strong carries. Didn’t particularly shine but put in a solid shift.

Captain once again after Zoe Aldcroft stepped down in January. Ever-present around the park, winning a crucial 47th-minute penalty at the breakdown to halt Samoa’s momentum. Crossed for a try in the 70th minute, much to the crowd’s delight.

Facing the nation her father once represented, Feaunati produced a performance full of pride. Took a quick tap penalty at the 12th minute in the lead-up to Bern’s try, then scored herself at 24 minutes from a dominant scrum. Battled through treatment early in the second half and nearly scored again at the 70th minute before Packer finished the move.

16. MAY CAMPBELL (ON 53)
Introduced in a triple substitution to steady the scrum. Won a penalty at 58 minutes but missed a lineout throw at the 5m line a minute later.

17. MACKENZIE CARSON (ON 53)
Did her job in re-establishing scrum control. Crashed over from close range at the hour mark.

18. MAUD MUIR (ON 53)
Pivotal in England’s second-half set-piece dominance, with tireless work rate. Smashed a Samoan winger backwards with a huge tackle at 61 minutes.

21. NATASHA HUNT (ON 63) – 6.5
Maintained a scorching tempo to close out the match.

22. ZOE HARRISON (ON 63) – 6.5
Took over at 12, with Rowland shifting wider. Controlled the game comfortably with the result already secured.