WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL

England Women got off to the perfect start in Tonneins to triumph 24-4 in their international against France Women this evening (Wednesday June 17). The first of a two-match series could not have gone any better for Chris Chapman’s side, who outperformed a resilient French team looking for victory on home soil.

Tara Jones got the first try for England as she opened the scoring on the 14^th minute of the game and was closely followed by Jodie Cunningham after Andrea Dobson broke the line to find Cunningham in support to score the second try on 17 minutes. French winger Blandine Britis scored her side’s only try of the game on the stroke of half-time to make it 10 – 4.

The second half got off to a quick start and England carried on from where they left off – slick passing from Jenny Welsby, Sarah Fletcher and Amy Hardcastle sent Jones in for her second try four minutes into the half. Cunningham also scored a brace after she pounced on a kick from Welsby to put England 14 points clear of the opposition on the 55 minute mark.

Charlotte Booth scored the final try of the game after she received the ball on the right wing and stepped inside two oncoming defenders to go over the line. Carrie Roberts converted on the final whistle.

England Women now head into the final match of this international series on Saturday (June 20) in Biganos (6.30pm).

FRANCE FEMENINES
Elisa Ciria, Fatou Sylla, Aude Goubairate, Melanie Jean, Blandine Britis, Laurianne Guigue, Alice Varela, Coralie Maurouard, Virginie Calvo, Sandrine Lloria, Anais Mikalef, Gaelle Alvernhe, Sonia Zaghdoudi. Subs: Gaelle Delas, Cyndia Mansard, Vanessa Lacouture, Anne Diemart

ENGLAND WOMEN
Jodie Cunningham, Charlotte Booth, Tara Jones, Sarah Dunn, Kayleigh Bulman, Danielle Bose, Jenny Welsby, Andrea Dobson, Lois Forsell, Sarah Fletcher, Carrie Roberts, Jessica Courtman, Emily Rudge. Subs: Danielle Bound, Danika Priim, Faye Gaskin, Amy Hardcastle