Sports News

Red Roses thrash USA 55-12 after defeats in Canada, but doubts remain

England's Red Roses beat the USA 55-12 in the WXV Global Series, with Claudia Moloney-MacDonald scoring four tries, The Guardian and Sky Sports report. It was England's reply to two shock defeats in a row in Canada.

The Guardian said the win extended a 35-year streak in a period when many of England's records have fallen. Sky Sports called it a crushing victory. BBC Sport was more careful: England returned to winning ways, but without fully settling doubts about their place at the top of the women's game.

“We're hungry to get better.” — Jones, via Sky Sports

Before the game, the BBC had asked why Ellie Kildunne, long the face of the Red Roses, was on the bench. The Guardian profiled US centre Bella Vogel, nominated for World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year, who hoped to catch a “wounded England” off guard.

How each outlet framed it

• The Guardian — the streak: a long record that still stands after a rough tour.
• Sky Sports — the star: Moloney-MacDonald's four tries, and a promise to review the North America tour.
• BBC Sport — the doubts: a win that does not answer every question.

What we don't know yet: what the review of the North America tour will change, and whether Kildunne returns to the starting XV.