Women's Six Nations: Red Roses start with win

The Red Roses stretched their winning run to 34 matches after beating Ireland 33-12 in front of a Women's Six Nations record crowd at Allianz Stadium.

The home of English rugby welcomed 77,120 spectators to see the hosts play their first match since being crowned world champions last year and they picked up where they left off.

The front-rowers came to the fore in the first half as Amy Cokayne and a Sarah Bern double opened up a 21-0 lead at the break, with England's pack proving tricky to stop from close range.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Premiership Women’s Rugby (@thepwr)

It was over to the backs in the second period, Jess Breach winning the race to captain Meg Jones' kick through to secure the bonus point.

Ellie Kildunne, who had spurned a first-half opportunity when she dropped the ball over the line, made amends with a typically sparkling finish which was sandwiched between Ireland's tries, which came from replacement Anna McGann and captain Erin King.

The visitors had five PWR stars in their starting XV, all in the pack, including Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, who lined up against her wife Claudia in a competitive match for the first time.

Claudia said: "The crowd were incredible and the joy they bring is amazing. I did find Cliodhna once in the game and she kicked me in the head! She claimed not to see me but I saw her roll over on top of me and kick me - I loved it."

Cliodhna added: "Our squad and our girls are becoming used to crowds like this, it is becoming the norm. We are going to stop looking forward to occasions like this and turn them into performances, that's our main goal. We have eyes on the rest of our Six Nations games and I think we can really put in a performance this year."

Elsewhere in Round 1, Principality Stadium was packed full of PWR stars as Scotland defeated Wales 24-19 in a hard-fought encounter in Cardiff.

Gloucester Hartpury front-row duo Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu both scored as Wales took a 12-10 lead into the break, Chloe Rollie crossing for Scotland.

Sale Sharks flyer Shona Campbell, playing her first Scotland international since 2022, latched on to Helen Nelson's kick to put her side in front before another PWR link-up saw Meryl Smith set up Lucia Scott for the decisive third score.

Gloucester Hartpury's Kate Williams powered over to set up a grandstand finish but Scotland held on, with Loughborough Lightning's Nelson named Player of the Match.

“It was a little bit tight at the end there," she said.

“It is always tight against Wales but I’m just pleased we managed to put in a full 85-minute performance and get the win.”

Bristol Bears' Smith, back on the international scene for the first time since suffering an ACL injury in 2024, added: "“To be back in blue means the world, it is such a special group.

"I have definitely missed it over the last year, seeing it from the stands and watching them do such amazing things at the World Cup. To be back in with the squad is amazing and to get the win is the cherry on top."