Last Updated: 23/03/25 5:06pm
Claudia MacDonald scored one of six England tries as the Red Roses began their Women’s Six Nations campaign with victory
England’s Red Roses got off to a winning Women’s Six Nations start at home to Italy in their quest for history, but a poor second-half showing will cause head coach John Mitchell much frustration.
In an eventual 38-5 success, the Red Roses scored five tries in the opening half through wing Mia Venner, centre Emily Scarratt, wing Claudia MacDonald and hooker Amy Cokayne, while they were also awarded a penalty try with Italy hooker Laura Gurioli ruled to have changed her bind in a maul.
Italy scored a first-half try through No 8 Francesca Sgorbini and were over again early in the second period through Sgorbini once more, only for a TMO review – three-and-a-half minutes after the score and after even the conversion had been taken – to harshly rule out the try for apparent lineout obstruction several phases earlier.
Red Roses – Tries: Venner (4), Scarratt (7), Penalty Try (22), MacDonald (29), Cokayne (38), Sing (79). Cons: Sing (5, 8, 39).
Italy – Tries: Sgorbini (34).
Full-back Emma Sing scored England’s only try of the second half – coming with just a minute to play – and also kicked well for England off the tee to register three conversions, as the Red Roses march on in seeking a historic fourth Grand Slam in succession.
What’s next?
England’s Red Roses next travel to face Wales at the Principality Stadium for round two on Saturday March 29 (4.45pm kick-off).
Red Roses’ Women’s Six Nations 2025 fixtures
| Sunday, March 23 | Red Roses 38-5 Italy | |
| Saturday, March 29 | Wales vs Red Roses | 4.45pm |
| Saturday, April 12 | Ireland vs Red Roses | 4.45pm |
| Saturday, April 19 | Red Roses vs Scotland | 4.45pm |
| Saturday, April 26 | Red Roses vs France | 4.45pm |
Italy next host Ireland for their round-two clash at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma on Sunday March 30 (3pm kick-off).
More to follow…
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British & Irish Lions tour of Australia on Sky Sports
Watch the Lions tour of Australia live on Sky Sports in 2025
Sky Sports will exclusively show the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, with all three Tests against the Wallabies and six warm-up matches to be shown exclusively live.
British and Irish Lions 2025 tour schedule
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, June 28 | Western Force | Perth |
| Wednesday, July 2 | Queensland Reds | Brisbane |
| Saturday, July 5 | NSW Warratahs | Sydney |
| Wednesday, July 9 | ACT Brumbies | Canberra |
| Saturday, July 12 | Invitational AU-NZ | Adelaide |
| Saturday, July 19 | AUSTRALIA (first Test) | Brisbane |
| Wednesday, July 22 | TBC | Melbourne |
| Saturday, July 26 | AUSTRALIA (second Test) | Melbourne |
| Saturday, August 2 | AUSTRALIA (third Test) | Sydney |
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