England's women's rugby team, the Red Roses, returned to winning ways with a 55-12 victory over the United States in New Jersey on Friday, scoring nine tries in a dominant display.
Captain calls for unpredictability
Captain Meg Jones warned that the competition at the top of the women's game is intensifying and urged the side to become more unpredictable. "Teams are getting better, that's the nature of it," Jones said. "It happened in the men's game, it's happened in the women's game, and we've just got to start being probably more unpredictable."
England's four-year, 41-match unbeaten run was ended by two defeats to Canada earlier in October, while New Zealand nearly beat them at Allianz Stadium last month before Zoe Harrison's final-play try secured a win. A 15-point loss to the USA combined with a New Zealand victory over France could have seen England drop to third in the world rankings, but the Red Roses' comprehensive win avoided that scenario.
Broad attacking threat
Jones highlighted the variety of try-scorers — from the front row, back row, midfield and back three — as evidence of the multiple threats England want to pose. "We played the game that we love to play, which is front-foot ball, attacking well, everyone an option, our props running through the middle," she added. "I think there is hunger inside of us, that always keeps us ticking and keeps us at the top level. You can't be satisfied."
England, who won the Rugby World Cup in 2025, will aim for a ninth consecutive Women's Six Nations title next spring, beginning with a match against Wales on 10 April.
