sport news England 73-7 Wales: Red Roses make history as the first Test team to win 25 ... trends now
This was a record-breaking 25th consecutive win for the Red Roses making them the first Test team, male or female, to accrue such an impressive sequence of victories.
It was also their final warm-up before they travel to New Zealand as overwhelming favourites for the World Cup which begins next month.
England’s remarkable winning run means they are used to success, but it has also meant head coach Simon Middleton consistently demands the highest of standards from his team.
England's win against Wales was the 25th win in a row, the longest run by any team
He knows only perfect, or as close to as possible, will see Sarah Hunter’s side topple the world for the third time. England were very, very close to that level at Ashton Gate on Wednesday.
They were far, far too good for Wales and what spells trouble for their World Cup rivals is that you get the feeling further improvement is still very much within them. That is a good place for the Red Roses to be.
The likes of France, New Zealand and Canada should be worried. A total of 11 England tries entertained a strong Bristol crowd of 11,691, with outstanding centre Helena Rowland – who left the field to a huge cheer – contributing a hat-trick.
This was a last chance for Middleton’s players to impress ahead of the 32-player squad for New Zealand being confirmed on Tuesday and they did just that.
England coach Simon Middleton praised his side's performance after the win against Wales
The impact of England’s bench was fearsome with Rowland the headline act.
‘It’s great,’ said Middleton of his team’s new record. ‘You shouldn’t shy away from things like that because I know how hard this team works. Every single victory has been really earned.
‘It’s a massively poignant moment for me because it gives the team the recognition they deserve as a great team. That performance was pretty special.
‘To be a great, great team we know what we have to do next. How could you not enjoy that? The players were fantastic. We were a bit lost for words as a coaching group.
Despite the brilliant win Middleton still thinks that the England team can improve more
‘But there is still plenty of improvement to come. We were good tonight and we got out of the game what we wanted.’
England led 33-7 at the break, but the hosts punctuated some excellent rugby with errors Middleton will want eradicating. Zoe Harrison immediately had a kick charged down and then knocked on.
An early line-out in a prime attacking position also went all wrong. Still, the exemplary Rowland
