Red Roses dismiss Italy but fall short against Ireland

By BEN JAYCOCK

ENGLAND U18s women kicked off their campaign by scoring four tries on their way to beating Italy but came unstuck against Ireland later in the day.

Jo Vosakiwaiwai opened the scoring when she ran the length of the field. Not to be outdone,

Hannah Smyth doubled the hosts’ advantage after beating two Italian defenders to cap off a lung-bursting run. Italy replied back after gaining territory in the English 22, Luce Floridia getting her side’s first points on the board as they looked for a way back into the game.

But they could not cope with England’s tempo in possession, with Tamsin Baines and Lily Pereira dos Santos both dotting down to widen the gap for a 28-5win.

The last action of the day saw Ireland deliver a shutout of England 21-0. Merisa Kiribati nudged Ireland into the lead before Cahill doubled her team’s advantage and Lucia Dickinson rounded off a fine Irish win.

Ireland also ran in five tries to defeat Italy 29-7through scores by Rebecca Cahill (2), Roisin Ridge and Amy Mc-Conkey.

France, who won every match of last year’s edition, recorded impressive victories over Wales and Scotland.

Les Bleuettes thrashed Wales 43-0courtesy of tries from Cherrazade Saiki (2), Chloe Vial, Kida Maylis Mohy and Louane Pichon and Lylou Pedussaud.

Their second match of the day saw them register nine tries in a 55-0win over Scotland, including a treble from Tonie Fiorese with further tries from

Jade Guinde, Manon Marchesin, Saiki, Fiorese, Guinde and Marchesin.

Wales bounced back from their French loss to defeat Scotland 21-7. Wales’ Taufa Tuipulotu broke the deadlock inside two minutes, with Scotland’s Bethan Mathieson answering back when she dove under the posts.

Tighthead Ciara Taylor then restored Wales’ advantage, wrestling over the line before second row Cara Mercier finished the job with the last action of the game.