England signalled their intentions to claim an unprecedented third successive Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam with an emphatic 55-0 defeat of Wales in their opening match of the 2008 Championship at Sunbury on Saturday.

Centre Claire Allan scored three of England’s nine tries with full back Charlotte Barras, captain and number 8 Catherine Spencer, flanker Sarah Hunter, wing Michaela Staniford and replacements Jane Leonard and Katherine Merchant also crossing the Welsh try line.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2006 finalists kept Wales scoreless for the second year running in the Six Nations, following on from their 30-0 victory at Taffs Wells RFC in Cardiff which clinched England’s second straight Grand Slam last March.

“We are very pleased with this performance,” admitted coach Gary Street after his first Women's Six Nations Championship match at the helm. “It’s a great way to start the Six Nations.”

The next generation of England Women also kept Wales scoreless at Taffs Well RFC on Sunday with wing Natasha Hunt scoring a hat-trick as the Under 20s ran out 31-0 winners over their hosts. Captain Nicola Hoole and Isabelle Noel-Smith also crossed for tries.

Second half key for France and Ireland

Street takes his team to Rome to face Italy next weekend in an encounter he admits will be “tough” against an improving outfit who lost their opening game 19-0 to Ireland at a cold St Mary’s RFC in Dublin on Friday.

The Italian defence frustrated their hosts in the first half, but three tries in a 15-minute spell through hooker Jess Limbert, second row Germaine Healy and flanker Sinead Ryan saw Ireland home in their first international match in 10 months.

“Wins to start with are crucial and this was a good performance that we can build on. We did lots well, but we’ve got a huge game in France next weekend,” said Ireland coach John O’Sullivan, who gave five players their debuts off the bench late in the game.

Ireland have never beaten France in the Women’s Six Nations and will face a French outfit on a high after their 43-15 defeat of Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday when five tries turned a slender 10-5 half time advantage into a comfortable victory.

Céline Allainmat scored two of the tries after the break with Delphine Plantet, captain Estelle Sartini and Caroline Ladagnous adding to Marie Charlotte Hebel’s touch down late in the first half at Meggetland as France’s superior fitness told.