England run in 12 tries as Kildunne sparks demolition of Scotland in Women’s Six Nations

The fortress walls of Murrayfield were finally at Scotland women’s disposal for their first standalone game at the stadium but England rocked its foundations with a statement performance where fans were left questioning if the world champions had injury issues at all.

The 30,498 crowd was a record attendance for a women’s solo sporting event in Scotland and they were largely silenced. Scotland were sloppy, conceding the most points against England since 2011 and they will have to be sharper when they face Italy in the next round.

On the face of things England should be struggling on pitch with 13 of their Rugby World Cup-winning squad missing through retirement, injury and pregnancies but the Red Roses are demontrating their endless pool of talent at this Women’s Six Nations. The latest player to be given a baptism in international rugby was the 19-year-old Bristol Bears back-row Demelza Short.

The youngster, who was playing for England Under-18s just last year, started at blindside flanker with Alex Matthews injured and usual back-rower Abi Burton employed in the second row with England’s unavailability list including four locks. Short had a solid game but there was another forward who shone in player of the match Maddie Feaunati.

The back-rower, playing at No 8 because of the injury to Matthews, was key in Ellie Kildunne’s opening try with a great line break. She also came up with a maul turnover and was the physical punch the Red Roses needed at times to launch attacks. Lilli Ives Campion also was a steady presence as the new lineout caller, backing up her performance at Twickenham against Ireland.

England celebrate as Kelsey Clifford scores their fourth try. Photograph: Russell Cheyne/Reuters

Scotland were shaky in defence and failed to capitalise on the front-foot ball they created but an area they were able to disrupt their opponents was at the scrum. The set-piece was a positive element to the hosts’ game, and they won multiple scrum penalties, particularly in the first half. The game was the first at home for the new head coach, Sione Fukofuka, and he was left in no doubt as to the gap he has to bridge, with Scotland conceding more than double the points than they did the last time the two teams faced in the World Cup quarter-final.