This day will live long in the memory for Scottish rugby regardless of the result. The joy and emotion was clear from the anthems and 30,498 bellowing out Loch Lomond before kickoff. A day that every Scottish rugby fan would dream of now became a reality for all the women and girls who may never have thought it was possible.
A lot was asked of England last week when they did not hit their lofty standards against Ireland, but they silenced any doubters this week with a ruthless display and twelve tries to show for it.
After a slow start from England in the opening 5 minutes when Scotland had all the possession, momentum switched following a 50-22 from Zoe Harrison brought the Red Roses down the field. Meg Jones came within inches of an opening try before a break from Maddie Feaunati who passed out to Kildunne who sped past the defence to touch down in the corner. Harrison effortlessly added the extras from the sideline.
England had no intentions of letting up early on when they added their second try on 12 minutes when Sadie Kabeya offloaded to captain Meg Jones who stepped outside of a Rhona Lloyd tackle with ease to dot down.
Kildunne added her second after 24 minutes in an effective team try that started with Emma Sing breaking through the middle. After numerous phases and going wide, a long pass from Jones laid it on a plate for Kildunne to wheel around under the posts with no Scottish defender in sight.
Scotland began to find their feet again, but the Red Roses were determined to get their bonus point before the end of the half. After a quick tap penalty ten metres out and Kabeya being brought just short, Kelsey Clifford stepped up to power over and secure the bonus point in the 31st minute.
Scotland’s resilience was rewarded with a brilliant try from Rhona Lloyd. Helen Nelson chipped the ball in the air which landed straight in the breadbasket of Chloe Rollie who offloaded to Rhona Lloyd who sped past Kildunne and Breach to bring up a huge roar in Murrayfield with Irene Cara’s What a Feeling over the tannoy.
That try seemed to light a fire again for England as they responded straight away. Maud Muir, on her 50th cap ran through the middle in a Rhys Carré-esque run. Again, Sadia Kabeya was denied at the line before the ball was sent out wide to Emma Sing to score just before half-time.
After a cagey opening to the second half, England continued with their attacking intent with Amy Cokayne getting her trademark try on the back of a rolling maul. The Red Roses introduced their replacement front row after 51 minutes including Sarah Bern who managed to double her try total in the championship within 8 minutes on the pitch when she crossed the line twice as England’s lead continued to grow.
The bench continued to have a major impact in the game with the ultra-experienced Marlie Packer scoring her 53rd try for England as she evaded a tackle from Helen Nelson before sliding in. The soon-to-be mother of two continues to highlight her brilliance on the pitch on this her 113th cap.
Scotland began to tire in the closing stages with Sadia Kabeya finally got on the scoresheet after being denied multiple times. The Red Roses pushed on from the restart with Mia Venner scoring and Haineala Lutui crashed over before the clock hit red for the Red Roses’ 12th try, all of which were converted by Zoe Harrison.
The scoreline does not reflect the effort of Scotland in this game with some great performances from Leia Brebner-Holden, Chloe Rollie, and Elliann Clarke, among others. Today is not a reflection of the difference in standard on the pitch but growth off it. Scotland continues to build as they aim to reach the benchmark of women’s rugby which is England given the work being put in throughout and the standard from youth rugby to PWR. Scotland are making these inroads and the public is behind them with the attendance of 30,498 today, a record for a standalone women’s sports event in Scotland.
England now turn their attentions to a sold-out Ashton Gate next Saturday against Wales while Scotland will regroup ahead of a trip to Parma where they will look to avenge their loss to the Italians last year.