Connie Boyd scores three tries on her England debut as Wales are swept aside 70 to 6 in Perth

The story

For about ten minutes in Perth on Saturday, Wales had a real moment. Paige Travis forced her way over to level the game on their Women's Rugby League World Cup debut, and the Welsh bench went wild. It didn't last. England answered with seven tries before the break to lead 40 to 6 at half time, then kept going to finish with 13 tries and a 70 to 6 win in their Group A opener at HBF Park. Connie Boyd, one of three England debutants, and winger Anna Davies both scored three tries. Izzy Rowe crossed twice and kicked nine conversions for 26 points, matching the England record for points by one player in a Women's World Cup match. The moment that summed it up came when Amelia Brown gathered a Welsh kick behind her own line and ran 109 metres to score at the other end. Fellow debutant Jasmin Strange and Hollie Dodd also got on the scoresheet. The gap between these two sides is still huge. England won 82 to 0 when they first met in 2024. Stu Barrow's team wants a first ever World Cup final, and Wales face Samoa next in Parramatta on Friday.