England secured a victory against the United States, but questions remain over their top form in women rugby.
The England Red Roses returned to winning ways in New Jersey, but they failed to entirely vanquish doubts over their dominant position at the top of the women game as they saw off a spirited United States team.
Head coach John Mitchell witnessed his squad struggle to hit top gear during the WXV Global Series match, following two recent losses to Canada over the previous fortnight before their upcoming Women Six Nations title defence in April.
Despite claiming a comfortable victory on foreign soil, the performance leaves the coaching staff with plenty to ponder, according to information published by BBC.
Early Tries and First Half Dominance
England started steadily enough with wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald crossing twice in the first 12 minutes, establishing an early lead for the visitors in New Jersey.
Her second try came via a brilliant looping mis-pass from fly-half Holly Aitchison, showing glimpses of the attacking flair that initially made the Red Roses the team to beat globally.
United States Resistance and Physical Play
The United States stuck in the contest far longer than they did during their previous heavy defeat, showing immense resilience against the sixth-ranked underdogs status.
The American side remained dangerous deep into the second half, highlighted by a thunderous hit from Alev Kelter that hoisted and dumped England captain Meg Jones to rally her team.
Exploiting Space Out Wide
Ultimately, Moloney-MacDonald ran in four tries as England successfully exploited space out wide to keep the scoreboard ticking throughout the demanding international fixture.
Replacements and tactical adjustments also helped the Red Roses maintain their momentum, ensuring the squad kept their opponents at a safe distance on the scoreboard.
Late US Surge and Final Whistle
The United States claimed a second try with the final play of the match as Kate Zackery dived over around the fringes at the end of a determined surge.
That late score perfectly summed up the relentless determination of the home side, providing a strong platform for the Americans to build upon for future fixtures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the rugby match between England and the United States?
England defeated the United States in their WXV Global Series fixture held in New Jersey, though the performance left head coach John Mitchell with concerns.
How many tries did Claudia Moloney-MacDonald score for England?
Wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald scored four tries during the match, helping the Red Roses secure their victory against a spirited American side.
What is next for the England Red Roses team?
The England team will look ahead to their upcoming Women Six Nations title defence scheduled to begin in April.
