England’s Red Roses reclaimed their winning form with a convincing 55-12 victory over the United States in New Jersey, though the result may mask some lingering concerns regarding their dominance. While the scoreboard suggested a comfortable afternoon, the Americans proved far more resilient than they had in previous encounters, fighting through much of the match with a physical intensity that frequently rattled the world leaders. Wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald was the star of the show, crossing the white line four times as England eventually exploited gaps out wide to pull away.
Despite the eventual margin, head coach John Mitchell will likely find several areas requiring urgent attention before the Women’s Six Nations defense begins in April. The English side struggled significantly with their set pieces, facing unexpected pressure at both the scrum and the line-out. The United States played with a surprising level of aggression at the gainline—an area typically dominated by England—and enjoyed superior territory and possession during the first half. This grit was epitomized by Alev Kelter’s thunderous hits and a hard-fought try from Hope Rogers that ignited the home crowd.
As England shifted gears in the second half, their squad depth became the deciding factor. Impact substitutions like Hannah Botterman and Ellie Kildunne provided fresh energy, helping England secure four tries in the final quarter to shut any door on a comeback. However, the spirit of the hosts remained intact until the very end, evidenced by Kate Zackary diving over for a final single play try just before the whistle blew. It was a performance that gave England three points in the WXV Global Series but left them with significant questions about their fluency and stability heading into next season.
