Impressive start by England

Despite concerns yesterday, England's internationals at London Welsh went ahead on schedule today and England A - the "second team" - began proceedings when they were clear winners of their morning match against Spain, running in five tries in a 29-0 victory (see report). 

As the A team had also beaten Italy by a similar score in December the pressure was on the First Team when they began their game shortly afterwards. A win would not be enough for a relatively young team - a big win was needed. And they obliged. By the end of the game England had run in 11 tries, winning 69-13 - not quite as good as last year - but that was a more experienced England XV.

Emily Scarratt, ex-Paviors centre (though she tended to play on the wing when against us?) scored two tries. However that was not as good as another young player, wing Fiona Pocock (probably a member of the Petersfield team we met at our first Beckenham Festival), who scored a hat-trick - though it was also her loose pass close to her own line that let in Italy for their only try (full match report)

Still - a good start for England. But next week is the big test.