Women's Six Nations 2025: England rout Ireland with second-half flurry to maintain perfect record, France down winless Wales
By Leon Imber
Published 12/04/2025 at 18:58 GMT+1
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England and France remained perfect in the Women's Six Nations with victories over Ireland and Wales respectively, keeping open the prospects of a Grand Slam decider on the final day of the competition. After a low-scoring first half, England enjoyed a dominant period after the break which saw them score six tries, planting The Red Roses back at the top of the Six Nations table.
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England had to remain patient before continuing their perfect run at the 2025 Women's Six Nations, with an eventual 49-5 victory over Ireland in Cork.
In a low-scoring first half, The Red Roses fell behind in the 25th minute as Amee-Leigh Costigan ran onto Dannah O'Brien's kick to open the scoring.
England found a response five minutes before the interval, as Morwenna Talling crossed over, and Zoe Harrison converted to give the away side a two-point advantage.
John Mitchell's side had not scored fewer than four tries in the first halves of their opening two matches of this year's competition, but went into the break with a slender 7-5 lead after an attritional opening 40 minutes.
England, though, eventually made their quality shine through with a flurry of second-half tries. Harrison ran over before converting for the first, while Megan Jones scored and Sarah Bern crossed twice to further the visitors' lead moments later.
Further efforts from Ellie Kildunne and Kelsey Clifford - who recorded her first try for England - put the result beyond doubt in the final 10 minutes, sending England back to the top of the Six Nations standings.
France down winless Wales
Meanwhile, France continued their perfect start to the Six Nations campaign with a 42-12 victory over Wales - keeping Les Bleus on course for a Grand Slam decider against England on April 26.
Emilie Boulard returned to the French line-up and made her impact within four minutes, opening the scoring before adding her second 11 minutes later.
Tries from Kate Williams and Gwen Crabb ensured the first half would be competitive, but efforts from Manae Feleu, Lea Champon after the break, alongside a penalty try, put the hosts out of sight, with Wales unable to cross the whitewash in the second half.
Defeat for Wales continues their slow start to the competition, having suffered three defeats out of three - conceding 133 points in the process.
After the match, Wales head coach Sean Lynn said: "The girls felt really confident at half-time, the coaching staff too, and we've got to take that as a positive because you're coming out here in front of an amazing crowd, in an amazing stadium and we are competing with France.
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"The wind was taken away from our sails with that disallowed try [in the second half], but we've got to learn how to get back control, how to get back into territory, because we're getting in some really good areas.
"Overall, I asked for them to be brave and for work rate and that's what the girls did today."
France take on Italy in their penultimate match of the Six Nations campaign next Saturday, while Wales face Ireland.
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