London: Veteran flanker Marlie Packer scored four of England’s nine tries as they hammered Italy 61-33 in Parma on Saturday to maintain their iron grip on the Women’s Six Nations.
The world champions extended their record unbeaten run to 37 games and, with just next week’s tournament finale away to perennial challengers France remaining, England are on course to win an eighth straight Six Nations title and fifth consecutive Grand Slam.
England did give away a bonus point for a second straight match with Italy scoring five tries.
Zoe Harrison’s perfect run of 18 successful conversions came to an end when she failed to add the extras to Mia Venner’s try, although the England fly-half was still on target with eight of her nine goal-kicks on Saturday.
John Mitchell’s side ran in six tries before half-time to lead 40-19 at the break, with Packer and hooker Amy Cokayne both scoring twice as their forward power proved too much for the Azzurre.
“I take my hat off to the pack, they were unreal,” former England captain Packer told the BBC. “All week we have been practising our set pieces and me and Amy were the lucky ones to dot the ball down but it was all of the girls’ hard work.”
Helena Rowland, lining up alongside England captain Megan Jones in midfield, marked her 50th cap with a try.
Despite missing more than a dozen players due to pregnancy, injury or post-World Cup retirement, England had cruised through their opening three games, beating Ireland before hammering Scotland and Wales.
They suffered a fresh setback shortly before Saturday’s kick-off when back-row Maddie Feaunati was ruled out with a leg injury.
England still scored five tries in the opening quarter as they surged into a 33-5 lead against semi-professional Italy.
Italy hooker Vittoria Vecchini pulled a try back before Cokayne scored her second, again from a drive off her own line-out throw.
