Sportsupdated 1h ago2 min read
England Crush Wales 70-6 In Women’s Rugby League World Cup Group A Opener
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
England defeated Wales 70-6 in World Cup Group A opener in Perth. Connie Boyd and Anna Davies hat-tricks; Izzy Rowe added two tries and nine conversions.
England dominate Wales 70-6
England crushed Wales 70-6 in their opening Group A match of the Women’s Rugby League World Cup in Perth, scoring 13 tries in total on the way to a comprehensive victory. England captain Stuart Barrow’s side took control early, with Amelia Brown scoring the England opener after a slick move after three minutes, before Paige Travis secured Wales’ first ever Rugby League World Cup try. Izzy Rowe scored two tries and kicked nine conversions for 26 points, equalling the record for the most points by an individual England player in a Women’s World Cup match.
Connie Boyd and Anna Davies both notched hat-tricks as England scored seven tries before the break and led 40-6 at half-time. Wales next face Samoa on Friday, while England prepare to return to HBF Park for next Saturday’s blockbuster against Australia.
Players praise, Wales reflect
Jodie Cunningham said it felt good for England after the opening 10-15 minutes were tough, and she added that Amelia Brown “has got some pace doesn’t she!” Bethan Dainton told Premier Sports that she was “So proud of the girls despite the scoreline,” and she said “I don't think it reflected the game - we were in the game for quite a bit of it.” England’s match narrative featured Paige Travis charging on to a Tayla Preston short ball to crash over for Wales’ first World Cup try, and the BBC described the moment as sparking “wild celebrations.”
The match also featured Wales capitalising on England errors to level inside the opening 10 minutes, but England then scored three tries in the final minutes to put an exclamation point on the win. England’s performance left Wales exhausted by the half-hour mark, as the gulf became more evident with England running in three tries in the final minutes.
Royal message and next fixtures
The Princess of Wales wished England’s rugby league teams success as they prepare to compete at the World Cup in Australia, writing, “Wishing the England Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair Rugby League teams the very best as they travel to Australia for the Rugby League World Cup.” Catherine also wrote, “Good luck to all the players, coaches and support staff representing England on the world stage,” as her message covered the men’s, women’s and wheelchair squads ahead of the international tournament. England’s women open against Wales before facing tournament hosts Australia, while the wheelchair team will seek to build on their previous World Cup triumph on home soil.
“England v Wales will kick off at 7:35am.”
Radio Times set England v Wales for Saturday 17 October 2026, with kick-off at 7:35am, and it said the match would be shown live on Premier Sports 1. Radio Times also said Premier Sports Player would live stream the match, and it stated that BBC Radio Sports Extra would carry audio coverage.