England’s Red Roses returned to winning ways with a 55-12 victory over a spirited United States team in New Jersey, though the performance left questions regarding their position at the top of the women’s game. Wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald crossed twice in the opening 12 minutes to give England a steady start, with her second try coming from a looping mis-pass by fly-half Holly Aitchison.
Match Performance and Challenges
The sixth-ranked underdogs proved much tougher opponents than they did last year in Sunderland, where England won 69-7 at the start of their Rugby World Cup march. The United States stayed competitive deep into the second half, energized by a powerful tackle from Alev Kelter that hoisted and dumped England captain Meg Jones. Although Moloney-MacDonald ultimately scored four tries by exploiting space out wide, head coach John Mitchell faces several areas to address following two previous losses to Canada and ahead of their Women’s Six Nations title defence in April.
Mitchell will look to improve his team’s set-piece solidity and attacking fluency after England struggled early on at the line-out, failing to execute their rolling maul before getting pushed back over their own line. Kathryn Treder had an early try ruled out for obstruction, and the scrum proved more closely contested than anticipated as Muir was penalized while battling Hope Rogers. The hosts gained territory through brute physicality, eventually scoring when Rogers burrowed beneath Maddie Feaunati for a short-range try.
Final Quarter and Match Conclusion
Meg Jones scored after full-back Emma Sing ran a good line to re-establish a 10-point lead by halftime, despite statistics at the break showing the United States leading in territory, possession, and metres made with the ball in hand. Moloney-MacDonald secured her third and fourth tries shortly after the restart to extend England’s lead to 20 points and put the result beyond doubt.
The United States maintained their high energy and physical resistance, even after replacement prop Mona Lisa Tupou received a yellow card for a scrum infringement. England’s depth and endurance eventually showed through strong performances from substitutes Hannah Botterman and Ellie Kildunne, alongside a shifting tide in the scrum that allowed England to score four tries in the final quarter. Kate Zackary concluded the match with a late try for the United States during the final play following a determined team surge.
