Wales ran in five second-half tries to beat Scotland 39-3 and make it two wins from two in the RBS Women’s Six Nations 2015 following their first round success against England. It is the first time since 2009 that Wales have opened the championship with back-to-back victories and they have still to concede a try in this year’s competition.

Scotland put up stubborn resistance in the first half at Cumbernauld’s Broadwood Stadium to restrict Wales to two penalties from the boot of Laurie Harries. The hosts then scored their first points of the campaign when Nuala Deans kicked a penalty five minutes after the re-start. Not long after though Wales responded with a try from hooker Carys Phillips, which Harries improved to put Wales 13-3 up.

After a lengthy break while Scotland’s Hannah Smith received treatment for an injury, Wales upped their game to score four tries in the final quarter through Sioned Harries, Dyddgu Howell, Eleanor Snowsill and replacement Amy Lawrence, with Harries converting three.

"I was pleased with the second half and some of the tries we scored were pretty well worked, but we have a lot of things to work on ahead of the rest of the tournament,” said Wales captain Rachel Taylor.

France eclipse Ireland

Wales sit atop the Women’s Six Nations table on points difference from reigning champions France, who became the first team in eight matches to beat Ireland at ‘fortress’ Ashbourne.

After a scoreless first half Ireland looked set to pull the plug on France’s hopes of another Grand Slam attempt when they took the lead through tight-head prop Ailis Egan, shortly after play had resumed following an extended half-time break caused by floodlight failure. But Perpignan’s Caroline Boujard turned the course of the game on its head when she picked off a loose pass to run in an interception try, which Jessy Tremoulière converted.

A few minutes later Tremoulière added a late penalty to open up a 10-5 lead and the scoreline remained that way despite the Irish throwing everything at the French in the closing stages.

England hit Italy for six

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 winners England bounced back from their opening day defeat to Wales with a six-try, 39-7 victory against Italy at the Twickenham Stoop.

Katy Mclean kicked the first points of the afternoon after returning to the side from sevens duty. But the first try fell to Italy, who had never beaten England in 14 previous attempts, when Flavia Severin barged her way over. Michaela Sillari converted to hand the visitors a shock 7-3 lead.

England responded well though and replied with a try from Alex Matthews after a period of sustained pressure. From then on, it was largely one-way traffic with England scoring further tries through Abbie Scott, Ceri Large, Mclean, Hannah Gallagher and Kay Wilson.

“While we made life a little bit difficult for ourselves, we dominated the game and possession. There are a lot more things to put right but we are definitely moving in the right direction,” said interim England head coach Nicky Ponsford.

Ireland get the chance to avenge their World Cup semi-final loss when they take on England in Ashbourne on 27 February. On the same night France host Wales in a top-of-the-table clash in Sapiac before Scotland and Italy complete the round three fixtures at the Broadwood Stadium the following day.

Amy Lawrence scores against Scotland. Photo courtesy of the WRU