England’s Jess Breach leads a spectacular onslaught as they beat Samoa 90-3 in their Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool A opener, the hosts’ biggest win at the tournament.
The Samoan side, made up of amateur players, were never expected to trouble a polished England side, who produced a professional display on attack and defence to seal a quarter-final spot early. England spread the tries around, with 12 different scorers crossing, including Megan Jones’s double and Helena Rowland’s score plus 11 conversions to finish with 27 points—the most ever by an England player in a Women’s World Cup match.
Rowland reflected on the performance, saying: “We are very pleased, the conditions were difficult but we adapted to that and played some nice rugby at times. Despite so many changes, it did not feel like that out there, it felt really cohesive and connected.” England dominated from the start, leading 47-0 at halftime as they shredded Samoa’s scrum and used their pace in the wider spaces.
Samoa finally got on the scoreboard with Harmony Vatau’s penalty, the first points they registered in the tournament, but England kept their momentum rolling to push the scoreline further and maintain their pursuit of a first Women’s World Cup title since 2014.
Context and development: Samoa qualified for their first World Cup since 2014 by finishing third in WXV 3, underscoring the growing strength and reach of Pacific nations in women’s rugby. The Pool A lineup also includes Australia and the USA, highlighting how England’s challengers in the group will test their depth as the tournament progresses.
What this means going forward: England’s comprehensive win underlines their squad depth and cohesion as they chase a long-awaited World Cup crown. For Samoa, the result provides a tough but valuable learning experience as they continue their development on the world stage.
Summary: England’s 90-3 victory showcased their explosive attacking form, remarkable depth, and growing consistency at the World Cup, while Samoa took a challenging step in their continued evolution in women’s rugby.
Additional notes and angles:
– England’s record-breaking single-game score and Rowland’s 27-point haul highlight the team’s offensive versatility.
– Samoa’s amateur status contrasted with England’s professional performance, emphasizing differing preparation levels but also the ongoing rise of Samoa in the global game.
– The tournament’s broader context remains one of rapid growth for women’s rugby, with more teams and narratives shaping Pool A and beyond.
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