Round Two of the Women’s Six Nations brought with it thrills, spills, and no shortage of drama.
A fabulous England performance saw them avenge last year’s defeat to France with a confident triumph on home soil, while Wales held on to draw with Italy and Ireland bounced back to down Scotland.
Unsurprisingly, social media was abuzz with excitement as fans, players and unions alike took to their platforms to praise, vent and discuss a wonderful weekend of rugby.
Here’s the best of it.
England topped of the round as they ran in seven tries to beat France 41-26, with plenty of adoring home fans in support.
THANK YOU to the 4,674 fans who packed out Castle Park in Doncaster today 🙌
Today’s attendance was a record for a #RedRoses ticketed home @Womens6Nations game 🎟 pic.twitter.com/OqEpE1pII2
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 10, 2019
It was later confirmed that the 4600 fans packed into Castle Park made history.
We hear 4600 crowd at Doncaster from @scrumdown1 – which is a record crowd for a single standalone women’s test match in Great Britain. Not only beats England record at Doncaster in November but also beats 4113 in Cardiff (Wales v England in 2017).
— Scrumqueens #wrugby (@ScrumQueens) February 10, 2019
And the occasion certainly rubbed off on some fans.
Great performance from @EnglandRugby #redroses at Doncaster today, think Sophie wants to grow up to be @NHunt09 astonishing distribution! pic.twitter.com/h36Kb3zXOW
— Simon Baxter (@baxterbert) February 10, 2019
Poppy Cleall grabbed two tries for the hosts.
Congrats @Poppy_G_C for scoring 2 tries in England’s 41-26 victory over France this afternoon! https://t.co/4qyleBUH7i pic.twitter.com/0SaRbgWa5c
— Saracens Women (@SaracensWomen) February 10, 2019
While France’s Safi N’Diaye notched one of her own.
🏉 @EnglandRugby / @FFRugby
🏆 6 nations Womens
📆 10.02.19
⏰ 13h45
🏟 Castle Park Doncaster
📺 @France2tv
📱#xvfrancefeminin pic.twitter.com/Zim0uXfPkd— Safi N’Diaye (@safizizir) February 9, 2019
On Friday night, Ireland bounced back after defeat to England last time out as they ran out 22-5 victors against Scotland in Glasgow.
#WomensSixNations
Full Time
Scotstoun – Scotland 5- 22Ireland #ShoulderToShoulder#SCOvIRE pic.twitter.com/z2XBFvepQn— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 8, 2019
And there was one player in particular who stood out.
Anna Caplice for Ireland Women last night:
20 tackles at 100%
20 carries for 106 metres
1 try
2 offloads
52 total ruck arrivals1 player of the match award. pic.twitter.com/oA9yUxiLh2
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) February 9, 2019
But for Scotland, an encouraging performance gives them something to build on.
WOMEN | FT | Scotland fought hard for the full 80 but couldn’t get through Ireland’s strong defence in their second @Womens6Nations fixture.
🏴 (5-22) 🍀 #SCOWOMEN #AsOne pic.twitter.com/SoTzhBetjA
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 8, 2019
In Lecce, Italy and Wales battled out a 3-3 draw, a game that perched on a knife-edge throughout.
After a tight match against Italy, #WalesWomen captain and coach give their thoughts to WRU TV.
🗣”From minute one to minute 80, we saved a lot of tries and that’s the determination from the girls” pic.twitter.com/Zkc9gvUIep
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 10, 2019
Despite the long journey, nothing can keep visiting fans from following their country.
A small but noisy contingent of Welsh support is right behind #WalesWomen as they take on Italy in Lecce. Watch live on BBC Sport online #HWFN pic.twitter.com/DvQRhlynvf
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 9, 2019
And a well-earned point for the visitors just went to cap off a memorable evening for a Welsh legend.
Huge congrats @elsnowsill Llongyfarchiadau mawr #hannercanrif 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/3BOhSYmDae
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏉 (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 9, 2019