13,615 fans watched a fantastic match between England and Samoa as the group rounds of the Women’s Rugby World Cup continues.
The two Pool A nations faced each other at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton and England absolutely dominated with the biggest score yet in the World Cup of 85 - 3.
Fly-half Helena Rowland stood out with an incredible eleven conversions and a try, as well as sensational game management, winning MasterCard Player of the Match.
Jess Breach, returning from injury in the last Guinness Women's Six Nations, was also able to write her name in the history books as she scored her 50th England try, as well as going on to score a hat-trick later in the game.
England’s team, which was almost entirely different from the side that faced the USA last week, scored a staggering 14 tries - the most they have ever scored in a World Cup match.
However, despite the final score, Samoa impressed as the underdogs of the tournament.
They saw real improvement since their game against Australia last week - despite incredibly challenging rainy conditions - and enjoyed much more time in the opposition’s 22.
The Manusina also came away with their first points of the World Cup as 21 year old Vatau successfully scored a penalty kick, which was greeted with the biggest roar of the game from the stands.
This score cements England’s promotion to the knockout rounds after two mega wins.
The Sporting News has the final score, match highlights, starting line outs and how to watch.
MORE: Full schedule for the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025
England vs Samoa score
| Score | Tries (Conv) | Penalties | |
| England | 92 | Jones '2 (Rowland), Breach 8' (Rowland), Bern '14 (Rowland), Jones '16, Feaunati '23 (Rowland), Atkin-Davies '28 (Rowland), L. Packer '32 (Rowland), Clifford 49' (Rowland), Breach 52' (Rowland), Carson 60' (Rowland), Rowland 63' (Rowland), Packer 69', Breach 73', Moloney-MacDonald 79' (Rowland) | |
| Samoa | 3 | Vatau 43' |
England vs Samoa starting XV
England:
15 - Sing, 14 - Breach, 13 - Jones, 12 - Shekells, 11 - Moloney- MacDonald, 10 - Rowland, 9 - L. Packer, 1 - Clifford, 2 - Atkin-Davies, 3 - Bern, 4 - Ives Campion, 5 - Galligan, 6 - Burton, 7 - Packer (c), 8 - Feaunati
Replacements: 16 - Campbell, 17 - Carson, 18 - Muir, 19 - Talling, 20 - Kabeya, 21 - Hunt, 22 - Harrison, 23 - Kildunne
Samoa:
15 - Wright-Akeli, 14 - Lasini, 13 - Pouri-Lane, 12 - Makisi, 11 - Fiafia, 10 - Vatau, 9 - Afuie, 1 - Aiolupotea, 2 - Nonutunu, 3 - Aiono, 4 - C. Onesemo, 5 - D. Onesemo, 6 - Antonio, 7 - Pauaraisa (c), 8 - Foaese
Replacements: 16 - Leuta, 17 - Tauasosi, 18 - Iosefo, 19 - Sio, 20 - Iva, 21 - Leaula, 22 - Pati Ah Cheung, 23 - Curry
England vs Samoa highlights
2': Meg Jones begins the game with England's first try after finding an opening in the Samoan defence. Rowland converts.
8': Jess Breach comes down the outside for England's second try, and her 50th English try. Rowland converts as the ball bounces off the posts and through.
13': Another English try by Bern right under the posts! Rowland easily converts.
15': Another try for Jones, under 100 seconds after her teammate crossed the line. Rowland's kick goes wide.
23': Feaunati demonstrates incredible ball control to score from the base of a scrum. Another seven points for England as Rowland converts.
27': Jones crosses the line, but the try is disallowed.
28': Atkin-Davies crosses the line after a powerful driving maul. Rowland converts.
32': Lucy Packer sneaks across the line. Conversion.
43': Harmony Vatau kicks a penalty, scoring Samoa's first points in the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025.
49': Clifford scores after several English attempts. Conversion.
52': Breach scores again, diving across the line after an assist from Clifford. Rowland converts.
60': Carson scores after England steals the ball from a Samoan line-out. Conversion.
63": Rowland touches down right in the corner, and goes on to convert the tough kick.
69': Captain Marli Packer scores. No conversion.
73': Jess Breach scores a hat-trick! No conversion.
79': Moloney-MacDonald scores in the final minute and Rowland converts with a beautiful kick to finish the game!
80': Full time with England winning 92 - 3.
England vs Samoa livestream, TV channel
Samoa
TV channel: TV3
Live stream: England Rugby YouTube
UK
TV channel: BBC Two
Live stream: England Rugby YouTube
Rugby news and related content
- What happened at the Women’s Rugby World Cup? Opening weekend Pool A results, key moments, standout players and more
- England vs. Samoa team news, lineups, score prediction for next group stage of Women's Rugby World Cup
- Who is the Red Roses captain? All you need to know about Zoe Aldcroft, the England captain