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Emily Scarratt (file photo) was among England's try-scorers. Alamy Stock Photo

England start Women’s Six Nations title defence with bonus-point win over Italy

The Red Roses are chasing a seventh successive title.

ENGLAND STARTED THEIR Women’s Six Nations campaign with a 38-5 bonus-point victory over Italy in York.

Red Roses head coach John Mitchell selected an experimental line-up and watched full debutant Mia Venner respond with a try after three minutes.

Emily Scarratt, Claudio MacDonald and Amy Cokayne also crossed over in a largely one-sided opening 40 minutes, but England had to wait until two minutes from time to open their account for the second half when Emma Sing added a try to her three conversions.

Gloucester-Hartpury wing Venner made the most of her first international appearance in five years with a third-minute score before her fine run helped Scarratt bundle over to make it 14-0 soon after.

An England penalty try was followed by Italy’s Laura Gurioli being sent to the sin-bin and the hosts secured a bonus-point ahead of the interval when MacDonald caught Holly Aitchison’s kick to dot down in the corner.

Italy did get off the mark through Francesca Sgorbini, but Cokayne ensured England ended a dominant first 40 with a fifth score when she pounced on a loose ball from a line-out to cross over.

Sgorbini had a second try ruled out straight after the interval before Sadia Kabeya suffered the same fate for England, but Sing had the final say on proceedings.

Mitchell’s side eventually made their territory pay as Sing belted over the line in the 78th minute before she failed to add the extras.

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    Mute Cathy Nyhan
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    Sep 13th 2013, 3:59 PM

    its the attitude of people like you ‘gambling Ireland’ who turn the rest of us off supporting the dubs, being arrogant and calling your fellow countrymen ‘muck savages’… proves what you know about the rest of the country. you put a lot of sound dubs to shame! UP MAYO from Munster !!!!!

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    Mute Gambling Ireland
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    Sep 13th 2013, 5:19 PM

    We’re from Dublin & we’re better than you….

    We’re not Irish we are Dubs

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    Mute Spoddgy
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    Sep 13th 2013, 8:02 PM

    Or west Brits?

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    Mute Gambling Ireland
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    Sep 13th 2013, 8:34 PM

    West Brits?? The city that saved the rest of the country from British Rule!!
    Another thing Dublin is the EAST of the country…. Climb off your sister & try get a fact right

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    Mute Angela Coll
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    Sep 13th 2013, 8:51 PM

    East of Ireland but WEST of England
    Muppet
    Mayo for Sam
    Clare for Liam

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    Mute Gambling Ireland
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    Sep 13th 2013, 9:16 PM

    Yes but Ireland isn’t connected to England, so how could we possibly be WEST brits? Dublin is the EAST of Ireland!!
    Stupid Geebag

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    Mute Aideen Thornton
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    Sep 13th 2013, 9:18 PM

    Gambling Ireland – from a fellow Dub, please shut up. Stop making a fool of yourself and our county. I’m a Dub and I’m most definitely 100% Irish.

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    Mute Gambling Ireland
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    Sep 13th 2013, 9:20 PM

    Have a day off will ya… I’m only having a laugh

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    Mute Lorcan Quinlan
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    Sep 13th 2013, 4:50 PM

    Never mind selling sheep ! I will sell my wife for a ticket ! She’s a good one plenty of miles left in her and with a bit of prompting will keep the house clean ! Any takers ??? Coybib

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    Mute Gambling Ireland
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    Sep 13th 2013, 2:04 PM

    Thank god I’m a dub & not a muck savage…. This is ridiculously cringeworthy

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    Mute Joe Mahon
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    Sep 13th 2013, 3:03 PM

    I see your a gambling man, well here’s a tip: mayo to win the all Ireland and Aidan o Shea for player of the year!

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    Mute Gambling Ireland
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    Sep 13th 2013, 3:09 PM

    Here’s a tip for you… Keep your money in your pocket

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    Mute macca
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    Sep 13th 2013, 3:16 PM

    I like it joe! A big all Ireland from Aidan o Shea and he’s footballer of the year IMO

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    Mute Bluemist
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    Sep 13th 2013, 4:04 PM

    Oh sell a sheep I miss read it the first time

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    Mute Michael cunnane
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    Sep 13th 2013, 7:44 PM

    And he’ll shag wan for a premium one

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    Mute Spoddgy
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    Sep 13th 2013, 8:04 PM

    I’d sleep with the devil himself for a ticket!

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