England crushes Australia in second half to win WXV opener
World champions England bounced back from a half-time deficit to score seven tries in a dominant second half, extending their win streak to 39 matches.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- England trailed Australia 5-10 at half-time at CorpAcq Stadium in Salford.
- John Mitchell's side scored seven second-half tries to secure a commanding victory.
- The match marked the debut of the new size 4.5 rugby ball, which is 3% smaller.
The England women's national rugby team produced a dominant second-half display to defeat Australia in the opening fixture of the new WXV Global Series at CorpAcq Stadium in Salford in front of 9,251 spectators.
The world champions, playing their first match since securing a record eighth consecutive Women's Six Nations title in May, faced an uphill battle after trailing 10-5 at the interval. It marked the first time England had been behind at half-time in a match since 2020, with Australia capitalising through a Samantha Wood penalty and a try by Faliki Pohiva, while Abi Burton scored England's sole try of a disjointed first half.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
However, head coach John Mitchell's team responded emphatically after the break, crossing the try line seven times to dispel any threat of an upset and extend their phenomenal winning streak to 39 matches. Key scoring moments in the second half included:
- May Campbell, Meg Jones, Bryony Field, Mia Venner and Sadia Kabeya scoring during a 20-minute blitz.
- Lucy Packer and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald adding further tries later in the half.
- Asoiva Karpani securing Australia's second try of the match.
- Holly Aitchison and Harrison successfully converting the tries.
The WXV Global Series replaces the previous WXV format, running from 2026 to 2028 and featuring the world's top 12 teams to provide high-level competition ahead of the 2029 World Cup in Australia. This tournament also introduced the new women's size 4.5 ball, which is 3 per cent smaller than the standard size five.
The introduction of the WXV Global Series highlights World Rugby's efforts to increase competitive fixtures ahead of the 2029 World Cup. England's first-half struggles demonstrate that global rivals are closing the gap, while adapting to technical changes like the smaller ball size presents an ongoing challenge for elite athletes.
Although England did not have things entirely their own way due to handling errors and resilient Wallaroos defence, the sheer power of their bench and tactical adjustments proved decisive. Tougher tests against powerhouse nations like Canada and New Zealand lie ahead, but the Red Roses once again found a way to prevail.
Source: BBC Sport
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