In the 2024 Grand Slam, England continued their successful defense with a commanding 46-10 victory over Wales at Ashton Gate. The match started with Wales taking an early lead through a penalty by Lleucu George. However, England quickly turned the tide, with Maud Muir scoring the first try of the game. This was followed by tries from Zoe Aldcroft, Hannah Botterman, and Lark Atkin-Davies, which allowed England to secure a bonus point by half time.
The second half saw England maintaining their momentum, with Ellie Kildunne scoring two tries. Abby Dow and Rosie Galligan also added to England’s collection of tries, further extending their lead. Despite the mounting pressure, Wales managed to score through a sniping run by their scrum-half, Keira Bevan. However, this was not enough to turn the tide of the match.
The game was marked by England’s relentless pressure and effective use of opportunities. Their performance was characterized by well-worked hands, galloping breaks, and quick ball recycling, which kept Wales on the back foot for most of the match. Despite their efforts, Wales were unable to convert their hard work and territory into significant points on the board.
The match was witnessed by a record-breaking crowd of 19,705, the largest home crowd for a fixture not played at Twickenham for the Red Roses. This victory marks England’s second successive eight-try win, keeping them on course for a successful defense of their Grand Slam title. The match ended with England’s victory, sending the majority of the sizable crowd home happy, and leaving Wales to reflect on their performance and prepare for their upcoming matches.