Breach hat-trick powers England to record Women's Rugby World Cup win over Samoa

Jess Breach scored a hat-trick as England stormed to their biggest ever Women’s Rugby World Cup victory, running in 14 tries to beat Samoa 92-3 in a dominant Pool A performance on Saturday.

The Samoan side, made up of amateur players, were outmatched from the start, while coach John Mitchell’s England delivered a clinical display in both attack and defence to secure a place in the quarter-finals. Centre Megan Jones crossed twice, and fly-half Helena Rowland added a try and 11 conversions for a personal tally of 27 points – the highest by any England player in a Women’s World Cup match.

"We are very pleased, the conditions were difficult but we adapted to that and played some nice rugby at times," said Rowland. "Despite so many changes (to the team) it did not feel like that out there, it felt really cohesive and connected."

England, who have now won 59 of their last 60 matches, led 47-0 at halftime as their dominance in the scrum and pace out wide proved too much for Samoa. The Pacific Islanders, who lost 73-0 to Australia in their opener, celebrated their first points of the tournament when Harmony Vatau slotted a penalty.

The hosts, chasing their first Women’s Rugby World Cup crown since 2014, maintained their momentum with a slick second-half display, underlining their credentials as title favourites.

SportsLigue