Women's Six Nations: Italy 33-61 England's Red Roses as Marlie Packer scores four tries in Grand Slam quest

Marlie Packer scored four tries as England's Red Roses proved too strong for Italy in Parma in the Women's Six Nations

Marlie Packer scored four tries as England's Red Roses recorded a dominant 61-33 Women's Six Nations Round 4 victory over Italy in Parma to remain on course for another Grand Slam. 

John Mitchell's charges were 26-0 up after just 14 minutes in a blistering start, and though Italy narrowed to 40-19, the Red Roses kicked on again in the second half.

Back-row Packer, whose England career looked like it could be over after a prolonged spell out of the team, showed her talent and skill remains at the age of 36.

Hooker Amy Cokayne (two), centre Helena Rowland, wing Mia Venner and No 8 Abi Burton scored England's further tries in addition to Packer's four, while fly-half Zoe Harrison kicked sensationally well again off the tee, adding eight conversions from nine.

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Italy, who recovered in the contest after a start which threatened to become embarrassing, did come out of the Test with a try bonus point.

They scored five tries by the end through hooker Vittoria Vecchini, openside flanker Alissa Ranuccini, replacement back-row Francesca Sgorbini (two) and a penalty try for which England's Ellie Kildunne was sin-binned (intentional knock-on as last defender).

Injury-hit England were forced into a last-minute change after back-row Maddie Feaunati was ruled out, but they needed only four minutes to break the deadlock when Packer touched down Harrison's clever kick into space.

Cokayne grabbed the first of a double - both via rolling maul drives - five minutes later before Rowland spotted a gap and raced over.

England hooker Amy Cokayne scored two tries as the Red Roses' rolling maul proved unstoppable

When Venner grabbed a fourth try for the visitors in the 14th minute to put England 26-0 up, Italy looked set for a long afternoon, but they responded.

Vecchini got Italy on the board three minutes later through their own maul try before a penalty try for the hosts was followed by a Ranuccini score - made by a break from loosehead prop Silvia Turani.

Packer had grabbed her second by that point and Burton got England up and running again after half-time.

That score was followed by two more Packer tries - he last a magnificent finish past several defenders - with Harrison able to add the extras in a 16-point haul, but Italy replacement Sgorbini went over in the 56th minute before she grabbed another on the stroke of full-time to help the hosts win the final quarter.

Packer: I took my opportunity - we're looking forward to Bordeaux!

England's player of the match Marlie Packer told BBC Sport:

"It was amazing to come back here two years on from getting my 100th cap.

"It's about going to stadiums and making memories when you wear this shirt and today was one of those occasions again.

"I take my hat off to the pack. They were unreal today. All week we've been working hard at our set-piece. Amy Cokayne and I were lucky enough to put the ball down but that was down to all their hard work.

"I'm just enjoying it. I've got a smile on my face and I'm getting some good minutes. The last couple of years Sadia [Kabeya] has got the nod over me - fair play - but I've got my opportunity at the moment and I'm just enjoying it.

Packer appeared a player on top form with her display in Parma

"There's no pressure... I'm just here to support the leadership group and be a part of the Red Roses - and to make every game an enjoyable one.

On next week's game against France: "Let's just recover from this - but we'll enjoy it. We've got France in a Six Nations Grand Slam title decider. It's going to be a tough week, but we look forward to Bordeaux."

Women's Six Nations final-day fixtures

Sunday May 17

• Wales vs Italy - Cardiff Arms Park (12.15pm kick-off)
• Ireland vs Scotland - Aviva Stadium, Dublin (2.30pm kick-off)
• France vs England - Stade Atlantique, Bordeaux (4.45pm kick-off)

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