History and highlights packages will commemorate the seventh of England’s 11 tries as the most memorable of their 67-12 victory over Wales at the Principality Stadium.
This was the third score of Ellie Kildunne’s hat-trick, the supreme full-back finishing a sweeping move by diving to dot down her own kick ahead. Moments previously, however, had been a flash of understated excellence from another of the game’s stars.
Maddie Feaunati had fielded the restart inside her own 22 before shrugging off Bethan Lewis, the Wales flanker, and surging through two more tackles to eke out around 20 metres. On the floor, the England No 8 tumbled and turned to present the ball and ensure that Natasha Hunt had a pristine platform:
A blend of dynamism and diligence, which set up something more eye-catching, summed up Feaunati’s display neatly. Before half-time, she had bagged two tries. The first was a formidable run from the tail of a driving maul.
Having begun in the receiver position from a line-out on the edge of the Wales 22, Feaunati burrowed in and then bounced out to fend off the first defender. Lewis was left flat-footed, seemingly unbalanced and perhaps even shocked by Feaunati’s footwork and acceleration:
The try looked jarringly easy, not least because Wales had been purposeful over the first 10 minutes up until that point, but was testament to impressive athleticism. And it spurred England into action.
Feaunati’s next try-scoring contribution was a beautifully delicate tip-pass to Sarah Bern, which crystallised the importance of shifting the point of contact on the gain-line. Watch how Kayleigh Powell commits to Feaunati, opening up the hole for Bern to pierce:
This reverse angle illustrates how the defensive line concertinas with Powell (12) joining Kate Williams (6) in the same tackle:
And a slow-motion close-up accentuates the way that Feaunati holds her stride and squares up before transferring the ball. All it takes is a one-metre pop and Bern can go over untouched:
Feaunati’s second try was indebted to her own strength at close quarters, and capitalised upon a break from the backs:
It's two for Maddie Feaunati - and it's the bonus point for the Red Roses 🌹🙌#WALvENG | #GuinnessW6Npic.twitter.com/lg8O9Bhjad
— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) March 29, 2025
Afterwards, head coach John Mitchell was measured in his praise. “Firstly, Maddie has been playing outstanding,” he said. “She’s powerful, she’s grown in confidence. But you never write off Alex Matthews. She is a world-class No 8 and we are very lucky to have her, too.
“Now I have got a difficult decision to make over the next week. I think we’ll get the balance right because they are both good players.”
Matthews is, indeed, a phenomenal player and will buoy England upon her return from suspension for round three against Ireland on ...
