Wales Women claimed a losing bonus point but they were ruthlessly put to the sword by an England Women’s side who claimed a 62-24 victory at Ashton Gate.
Sean Lynn’s side were never going to win this game and while England were comprehensive victors, there were plenty of positives for Wales to take out of this match.
The hosts scored 10 tries in total with Maddie Feaunati, Millie David, Marlie Packer (twice), Meg Jones (twice), Amy Cokayne, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, Jess Breach and Maud Muir touching down for tries.
Helena Rowland and Zoe Harrison kicked 12 points between them.
Keira Bevan, Kelsey Jones, Bethan Lewis and Seren Lockwood scored Wales’ tries, with Bevan adding a further four points from the kicking tee.England started like a house on fire with powerful No 8 Feaunati smashing her way over the line for a try which Rowland converted.
Wales were struggling to cope with England openside Marlie Packer who was everywhere, brushing aside Welsh defenders with ease. As a result England worked their way into the Wales 22 and a long pass from Aitchison put David over out wide.
But Wales showed tremendous character to hit back, with a break from electric scrum-half Bevan helping the visitors into the England 22.
Wales won a penalty and went to the corner which allowed Bevan to slice through the England defence to score a try which she converted.
But England flexed their muscles once more and this time it was Packer who claimed the home side’s third try off the back of a well-worked driving lineout.
It was world class centre Jones’ turn next as she ran in a try unopposed from 45 metres out.
But Wales looked dangerous with ball in hand and they struck from another lineout five-metres out from the England try line. They won the lineout and released Sisilia Tuipulotu down the blindside who passed inside for Jones to score.
Jones claimed England’s bonus point try on the stroke of half-time. A sensational long pass from Jones released David out wide. David passed back inside to Kildunne who offloaded to Jones for the try which meant the hosts held a commanding 29-12 lead at the interval.
England drew first blood in the first-half when dynamic hooker Cokayne touched down off the back of a well-worked driving lineout.
As if things couldn’t get harder for the visitors they were temporarily reduced to 14 players when full-back Kayleigh Powell got sent to the sin bin for an intentional slap-down.
England exploited Wales’ lack of defenders by spreading the ball wide for Moloney-MacDonald to score with a sensational finish out wide.
Breach was next to score for England courtesy of a nice pass from Aitchison before Packer scored off the back of a well-worked maul.
To their credit Wales refused to throw in the towel and after another incisive break from Bevan Lewis powered over.
But England were soon celebrating their tenth try when replacement tighthead Muir sneaked over the line.
However, Wales did succeed in taking a well-earned point from the game when Lockwood scored at the death.
England: Kildunne; David, Jones (capt), Rowland, Moloney-MacDonald; Aitchison, L Packer; Carson, Cokayne, Bern, Burton, Burns, Kabeya, M Packer, Feaunati.
Replacements: Powell, Clifford, Muir, Lutui, Short, Robinson, Harrison, Breach
Wales: Powell; Singleton, Keight, De Vera, J Joyce; George, Bevan; Pyrs, Jones, Tuipulotu, Aiono, Crabb, Metcalfe, Lewis (capt), King.
Replacements: Reardon, Davies, Rose, Evans, A Joyce, Lockwood, Bell, Richards.
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (RA)
Assistants: Jess Ling (RA), Beatrice Smussi (FIR)
TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
FPRO: Paul Haycock (IRFU)