England vs Scotland player ratings as Jess Breach shines in Women’s Six Nations opener

Simon Middleton’s side had too much for the Scots at Castle Park as they begin their title defence

(Getty)

A Jess Breach-inspired England inflicted a heavy defeat on Scotland to kick-start their Women’s Six Nations title defence.

It was a bonus-point victory for Simon Middleton’s side, who shared the glory around.

Breach went over with a sensational solo effort, while Marlie Packer, Leanne Riley, Lark Davies and Bryony Cleall, Helena Rowland and Poppy Cleall all scored tries o ftheir own.

In response to that, and a penalty try for England, Scotland’s only response was through Hannah Smith, with Molly Wright sent off for the Scots.

Here are the player ratings from Castle Park:

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England ratings

Sarah McKenna - 7

McKenna was strong and solid for England. Her performance was even more impressive as she returned from injury in the match.

Lydia Thompson - 7

She found herself in the right positions but couldn't quite get on the end of a cross field kick to score. Slick but not clinical enough.

Emily Scarratt -9

Captain fantastic Scarratt was clinical and precise as always. She missed one conversion but two of her other kicks were pin point from a difficult angle.

Lagi Tuima - 8

Everytime she got the ball in hand she looked dangerous. Made great metres and played as well as she does for Harlequins week in, week out.

Jess Breach - 9

Phenomenal skill from the winger saw her collect a cross field kick and storm to the line for England's fifth before half-time. She continues to impress in a white shirt and at just 23 fans will be excited for all the rugby there is to come from the winger.

Emily Scarratt of England is tackled by Megan Gaffney of Scotland (Getty)

Helena Rowland - 8

Rowland had some cross field kicks which had too power much on them but she cleared her lines well. She scored a great try early in the second half and did well following in the footsteps of the retired Katy Daley-Mclean.

Leanne Riley - 8

While the scrum-half knocked the ball on, she did well to score the second try.

Vickii Cornborough - 7

Solid as ever at scrum time and a dependable player for England.

Lark Davies - 8

Davies' line-outs were clean for the most part and she finished off a good maul try. A yellow card in the second half for a high tackle put a blemish on her performance

Bryony Cleall - 7

After injury has kept her out of the England team for a while it was great to see her go over for a try.

Abbie Ward - 7

A dependable leader in the England team which was needed when Scarratt was subbed off.

Cath O’Donnell - 7

A solid performance after a long time away from the international game.

Zoe Aldcroft -8

Aldcroft had great hands in the build up to the first try and was everywhere on the pitch.

Marlie Packer - 8

She made good metres and had an amazing finish to score England's first try of the afternoon.

Poppy Cleall - 8

Amazing big hits and great at scrum time but a yellow card in the second half let her down. She continues to stun for England and she didn't miss a tackle this afternoon.

Replacements: Amy Cokayne (5), Detysha Harper (6), Shaunagh Brown (6), Harriet Millar-Mills (5), Vicky Fleetwood (5), Claudia MacDonald (5), Megan Jones (5), Ellie Kildunne (5).

Scotland ratings

Chloe Rollie - 6

Rollie looked impressive when she had ball in hand but a lack of team cohesion didn't see her unleash her skill

Rachel Shankland -5

Another player who couldn't quite show what she can do with ball in hand

Hannah Smith -5

Great work to score Scotland's only try of the match

Lisa Thomson -3

A yellow card in the first half led to Breach's try.

Megan Gaffney -5

Gaffney wasn't given enough opportunities to get on the front foot to show what she can do.

Helen Nelson - 5

Impressive with ball in hand and with boot to ball but Scotland didn't have enough ball in possession for her to demonstrate her skill.

Mairi McDonald -4

Solid in the second half when Scotland had some attacking play.

Leah Bartlett - 5

A good performance at scrum time but not quite up to the standard.

Lana Skeldon - 6

The hooker was consistent at the line-out and was one of Scotland's best players.

Christine Belisle -5

A good performance from Belisle but she was subbed off midway through the second half.

Emma Wassell -6

A great individual talent. Great in defence and made some great carries.

Louise McMillan -5

Her name was hardly spoken in the match, Scotland need more team co-ordination for their individual class players to perform

Rachel Malcolm -5

A great leader for Scotland and unfortunately for the captain an injury saw her go off the pitch just after half-time

Rachel McLachlan -5

McLachlan was solid, especially in the second half, and she was accurate in defence.

Siobhan Cattigan.- 4

She knocked the ball on and wasn't up to the standard of Jade Konkel

Replacements: Molly Wright (2), Panashe Muzambe (4), Lisa Cockburn (3), Evie Gallagher (3), Jodie Rettie (3), Jenny Maxwell (4), Sarah Law, Liz Musgrove (4).