England cruise into quarter-finals with record-breaking win over Samoa
Marlie Packer was one of 11 different try scorers for England
©Photo by Morgan Harlow - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
England scored 14 tries to break their record World Cup score as they reached the quarter-finals after easing past Samoa.
Despite the rain at Franklin’s Gardens, England crossed through Meg Jones (2), Jess Breach (3), Sarah Bern, Maddie Feaunati, Lark Atkin-Davies, Lucy Packer, Kelsey Clifford, Mackenzie Carson, Helena Rowland, Marlie Packer and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, with Rowland adding 11 conversions.
John Mitchell made 13 changes from the side that beat the USA in last weekend’s opener, but the wet conditions in Northampton did little to dampen England’s momentum. They maintained dominance throughout the game, showcasing their depth in attack and defensive solidity.
It took just three minutes for the Red Roses to open the scoring. Loosehead prop Clifford showed soft hands in midfield before Jones weaved through the Samoan defence with some delightful footwork to score, sending the crowd into raptures. She was also able to add a second in the first half.
Five minutes later, the celebrations grew louder. A slick first-phase move from a scrum released the ball wide, allowing Breach to dance over. The try marked a milestone too as she claimed her 50th in an England shirt.
Execution remained ruthless. Bern thundered over from close range for England’s third.
Then came the power game. England’s pack demolished the Samoan scrum, marching their opponents backwards over the whitewash with Feaunati applying the finishing touch from the base.
World Cup debutant Jade Shekells nearly created a hat-trick opportunity for Jones with a clever kick through, but the Red Roses didn’t have to wait long for more points. Atkin-Davies crossed from a clinical line-out drive to stretch the lead before Lucy Packer sniped over for try number seven.
On the stroke of half-time, the Samoan fan base came out in full force as their team looked like they were going to score. Fly-half Harmony Vatau sliced through with a sharp step, but a knock on just before the try line unfortunately denied them.
However, just four minutes after the break, their hard work was rewarded. A strong effort at scrum-time earned Samoa a penalty, and Vatau slotted the three points to notch her side’s first points of the World Cup - a moment of unbridled joy for the amateur team.
The spirit of Samoa was coursing through their veins, but England quickly regained control. A slick move ended with Saracens' Clifford crossing for the try, before she turned provider to send Breach through for the Red Roses' 10th on 53 minutes.
Carson - playing her first game since March - powered through for another score, and Player of the Match Rowland added to her 18 points from the tee with a try which she duly converted.
Marlie Packer then crossed the line, and Breach completed her hat-trick to take England beyond their highest-ever points total in a World Cup match.
The icing on the cake was applied by Moloney MacDonald, who flew into the corner as the Red Roses celebrated their win in front of 13,615 fans.
England's forwards dominated throughout, with their pack driving strong set-pieces and controlling the breakdown. Samoa battled valiantly but were unable to breach England’s well-organised defence.
With the win, John Mitchell’s side advance to the quarter-finals, but before that, they will face Australia in next weekend’s last pool clash.
England: Sing; Breach, Jones, Shekells, Moloney-MacDonald; Rowland, Packer; Clifford, Atkin-Davies, Bern, Campion, Galligan, Burton, Packer (capt), Feaunati.
Replacements: Campbell, Carson, Muir, Talling, Kabeya, Hunt, Harrison, Kildunne.
Samoa: Wright-Akeli; Lasini, Pouri-Lane, Makisi, Fiafia; Vatau, Afuie; Aiolupotea, Nonutunu, Aiono, C Onesemo-Tuilaepa, D Onesemo-Tuilaepa, Atonio, Pauaraisa, Foaese.
Replacements: Leuta, Tauasosi, Losefo, Sio, Jamie Iva, Leaula, Ah-Cheung.
