- Skipper Spencer grabs two tries as England defeat Italy 41-0 in Parma
- Second successive RBS 6 Nations victory with opponents kept to nil
England Women recorded their second successive win in the RBS 6 Nations against Italy and once again kept their rivals to nil points with a 41-0 victory in Parma.
The Red Roses ran in an impressive seven tries with captain Catherine Spencer leading by example and grabbing a brace of tries. There were also touch downs for Michaela Staniford, Fiona Pocock, Rochelle Clark, Heather Fisher and Maggie Alphonsi.
England Assistant Coach Graham Smith said: "The effort the players put in today was, as ever, excellent. Italy really made us work hard for this win, and this is certainly the most difficult year for us to try and win the 6 Nations so we are really pleased with the result.
"At times our execution wasn’t always there and we needed to pay more attention to detail – we were certainly not as fluid as we were against Wales – but overall our scrummaging worked really well and all four of our wings made a massive contribution to the victory."
England made an immediate impression on the game and scored after just three minutes with Michaela Staniford, starting her first game for England in a year, touching down. A turn over at the line out saw the forwards get their chance to drive and over power the Italians and the ball was passed down the line to Staniford on the right wing. Alice Richardson missed the conversion.
Five minutes later and England were 12-0 up with wing Pocock this time taking the points. After the ball came off the top of a line out it went through the slick hands of the backs and out to Pocock who touched down with ease. This time Richardson added the conversion.
England led 22-0 at the break
Prop Rochelle Clark then secured her second try in two games, taking the ball from the back of a ruck to drive over. Bristol No.8 Spencer soon claimed her first try with a classic pick-up from the back of a scrum and charge over, handing England a 22-0 lead at the break.
England made a raft of changes during half time giving wingers Amber Penrith and Fran Matthews, who had been called up from the England A set-up, their chance. Alphonsi and hooker Samantha Reeve also took to the field, but it was Worcester’s Heather Fisher who took the next try.
The flanker, who scored her first try for England seven days ago against Wales, showed a turn of speed after a line out, and then a good England attack in midfield, to outflank Italy’s defence and score. Richardson added the conversion taking England into a 29-0 lead.
England had to wait until the 70th minute for their next score which saw a good catch and drive from a line out hand Alphonsi the chance to pick up from the back of a ruck and score. This time Katy McLean added the conversion.
The final try came courtesy of skipper Spencer, who recreated her first half effort with another pick and charge from a scrum to complete the scoring. England kept the Italians at bay throughout, their second successive clean sheet in the tournament.
England now have a two week break until they are back in RBS 6 Nations action, when they face Ireland at Esher RFC on February 28.
England
15 Claire Allan (Richmond), 14 Michaela Staniford (Wasps), 13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), 12 Rachael Burford (Richmond), 11 Fiona Pocock (Richmond), 10 Alice Richardson (Richmond), 9 La Toya Mason (Wasps), 1 Rochelle Clark (Team Northumbria), 2 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3 Claire Purdy (Wasps), 4 Rebecca Essex (Richmond), 5 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 6 Heather Fisher (Worcester), 7 Jane Leonard (Lichfield), 8 Catherine Spencer (C) (Bristol)
Replacements: 16 Samantha Reeve (Worcester), 17 Sophie Hemming (Bristol), 18 Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), 19 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), 20 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 21 Francesca Matthews (Richmond), 22 Amber Penrith (Bristol).
Tries: Staniford, Pocock, Clark, Spencer (2), Fisher, Alphonsi,
Conversions: Richardson (2), McLean
Substitutions: Alphonsi for Leonard, Penrith for Staniford, Matthews for Pocock, Reeve for Garnett (all HT), McLean for Burford, Hemming for Purdy (both 65), McGilchrist for Essex (70)
Italy
15 Furlan Manuela, 14 Barattin Sara, 13 Cioffi Maria Grazia, 12 Zangirolami Paola (C), 11 Veronese Maria Diletta, 10 Schiavon Veronica, 9 Tondinelli Michela, 1 Cucchiella Elisa, 2 Peron Silvia, 3 Gai Lucia, 4 Pettinelli Sara, 5 Gini Daniela, 6 Campanella Giuliana, 7 Este Michela, 8 Gaudino Silva
Replacements: 16 Denza M.Beatrice, 17 Trevisan Alice, 18 Molic Cristina, 19, Zublena Cecilia, 20 Schivaon Valentina, 21 Pizzati Silvia, 22 Rochas Elisa
England’s RBS 6 Nations Fixtures & Results:
England v Wales, Feb 6: 31-0
Italy v England, Feb 13: 41-0
England v Ireland, Feb 28th, Esher RFC, KO 3pm
Scotland v England, March 13th, Meggatland, KO 130pm
France v England, March 19th, Rennes Stade Vellodrome, KO 8pm