Five things we learned as Red Roses overpower Scotland

It was a one-sided contest almost from start to finish as Scotland failed to impose themselves on proceedings, and the margin of victory could have been greater but for a Red Roses display littered with errors. 

John Mitchell’s visitors took control with two tries inside four first-half minutes through the returning Amy Cockayne and Abby Dow, while a third from Ellie Kildunne put them further in charge.  

The visitors wrapped up the bonus point with a try by Sadia Kabeya four minutes into the second half. Jess Breach inflicted further pain with tries on either side of Cockayne's dismissal for a second yellow card, while Marlie Packer added an eighth score late on. 

After two encouraging displays to kick off the campaign, it was a disappointing afternoon for Scotland who failed to assert themselves in the contest. 

Here are five things we learned from Hive Stadium.  

England's momentum impossible to stop 

For Scotland to stay in the game, they needed to life as difficult as possible for the Red Roses. Instead, they were unable to get their hands on the ball and when the hosts did earn possession, too often they kicked it away and allowed the visitors to attack. England were wasteful, spurning at least two golden try-scoring opportunities that would have put them further out of sight early on. Scotland made more than 150 tackles, while England made more than 500 metres with ball in hand. 

There wasn't much change after the break with John Mitchell's side camped for large periods in Scotland's half. If they had taken all of their try-scoring chances, this could have been a really damaging defeat for the hosts. 

Outstanding performers 

Bryan Easson will have learned plenty about his side in the face of adversity today and will be encouraged by a couple of stand-out performers. Evie Gallagher put in a couple of try-saving tackles, while she performed superbly to rescue a hastily-retreating scrum on more than one occasion. Her back-row colleague Alex Stewart put in another all-action display. 

Evie Gallagher was one of Scotland's shining lights (Image: SNS)

Scotland had been steamrollered at the scrum in the opening 40 minutes, but Easson will have been pleased by the impact his replacement props, Molly Wright and Elliann Clarke, who stood up well to the Red Roses pack. 

Terrific atmosphere at sold-out Hive Stadium 

More than seven-and-a-half thousand fans – a record crowd for a Scotland Women home international – packed into Hive Stadium for this one. The crowds at Scotland’s games have really grown over the past couple of years, helped by improvements on the pitch that culminated with the WXV2 trophy last year, part of a seven-match winning streak.  

Those inside Hive Stadium included plenty of families and a healthy Red Roses support who had made the trip north, but Scottish Rugby must now ensure these types of attendances become the norm for Scotland Women.  

Strength in depth being tested

Having already lost Sarah Bonar to a shoulder injury against Wales in round one, Scotland's lock stocks were challenged further when Emma Wassell's withdrawal pre-match. That meant a first cap for Fiona McIntosh.

The Saracens lock, who played for Edinburgh during the recent Celtic Challenge, threw herself into her debut, Scotland undoubtedly missed their first-choice lock pairing, if nothing else for their experience of facing England in the past. 

Lana Skeldon wasn't able to impose herself on the game on her return from a knee injury, while Lisa Thomson's physicality was missing in the first half. 

A tough day – but this isn’t a result to judge Scotland on 

Bryan Easson said during the week Scotland weren’t benchmarking themselves against today’s result, adding England are years ahead of his team in their development. When England got on a roll, they were too good for the home side, but Easson will be encouraged by some of his side’s display when they wrestled back momentum. 

Scotland: Chloe Rollie, Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Meryl Smith (Thomson 40), Coreen Grant (McGhie 33), Helen Nelson, Caity Mattinson (McDonald 55); Leah Bartlett (Wright 52), Lana Skeldon (Martin 60), Christine Belisle (Clarke 52), Fiona McIntosh (Donaldson 50), Louise McMillan, Rachel Malcolm (captain), Alex Stewart (McLachlan 55), Evie Gallagher   

England: Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow, Megan Jones (Gregson 71), Tatyana Heard (Harrison 65), Jess Breach, Holly Aitchison, Natasha Hunt (L Packer 65); Hannah Botterman (Carson 56), Amy Cokayne, Maud Muir (Clifford 56), Rosie Galligan (Powell 56), Abbie Ward, Zoe Aldcroft (captain), Sadia Kabeya (Feaunati 60), Alex Matthews (M Packer 60)

Tries: Cockayne (7), Dow (11), Kildunne (34, 64), Kabeya (44), Breach (51, 59), M Packer (72)

Conversions: Aitchison (35, 44), Harrison (73)

Yellow cards: Cockayne (29, 54)

Red card: Cockayne (54)

Referee: Clara Munarini 

Attendance: 7,774 

Player of the Match: Ellie Kildunne