England see off USA, but fail to hit top gear

United States (7) 12

Tries: Rogers, Zackary Cons: Vogel

England (17) 55

Tries: Moloney-MacDonald (4), Jones, Venner, Field, Feaunati, Kabeya Cons: Sing (2), Harrison (3)

England's Red Roses returned to winning ways, but without entirely vanquishing doubts over their position at the top of the women's game, as they saw off a spirited United States in New Jersey.

England started steadily enough with wing Claudia Moloney-MacDonald crossing twice in the first 12 minutes, her second coming via a looping mis-pass from fly-half Holly Aitchison.

However the United States, who were obliterated 69-7 in the opening match of England's march to the Rugby World Cup last year, stuck in the contest far longer than they did that day in Sunderland.

The sixth-ranked underdogs were still snarling deep into the second half with one thunderous hit from Alev Kelter, hoisting and dumping England captain Meg Jones, rallying her team.

Ultimately Moloney-MacDonald ran in four tries as England exploited space out wide, but their final performance of the WXV Global Series, after two losses to Canada over the previous fortnight, will give head coach John Mitchell plenty to ponder before the start of their Women's Six Nations title defence in April.

The United States claimed a second try with the final play of the match as Kate Zackery dived over around the fringes at the end of a surge that summed up their determination.

More to follow

United States: Cowdrey; Mataitoga, Henrich, Vogel, Kelter; Mason, Paton; Rogers, Treder, Sagapolu-Senele, Taufoou, Ehrecke, Humphreys, Perris-Redding (co-capt), Tafuna.

Replacements: Stathopoulos, Carlton, Tupou, Jarrell-Searcy (co-capt), Bailey, Zackary, Bargell, Hann.

England: Sing; Venner, Jones, Heard, Moloney-MacDonald; Aitchison, Robinson; Carson, Cokayne, Muir, Talling, Ives Campion, Burton, Kabeya, Feaunati

Replacements: Field, Botterman, Bern, Short, Matthews, Hunt, Harrison, Kildunne