England's centre Megan Jones (L) runs in another try during the Women’s Rugby World Cup pool A match between England and Samoa at Franklin's Gardens, Northampton. Photo: GLYN KIRK
World Cup favourites England have beaten Manusina Samoa 92-3 at the Women's Rugby World Cup.
In wet conditions at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton, Samoa started stronger than they did against the Wallaroos, but the Red Roses were still on the board within three minutes with a try to Megan Jones.
England's second try came from Jess Breach scoring her 50th try in her 49th cap for England. She ended the game with 52.
The Red Roses led 40-0 at the half hour mark, and had 66 percent of possession and 72 percent of territory in the first half.
Samoa did not help their cause with several errors, including losing possession deep in their own half.
Samoa made a breach into England's 22 late in the first half, but after 13 phases a knock-on handed possession back to England.
At half time the score was 47-0.
Samoa's scrum half Ana-Maria Afuie passes the ball. Photo: GLYN KIRK
Samoa spent time inside English territory early in the second half, and Harmony Vatau kicked a penalty goal from a scrum penalty - Samoa's first points at a Women's Rugby World Cup since 2014.
Momentum stayed with Samoa as they made their way into England's 22, but English skipper Marlie Packer won the ball back close to the line.
England got their first second-half points with a second Jess Breach try in the 53rd minute. The contest was tougher in the second 40 but that did not prevent the Red Roses from scoring seven tries, and 14 total in the match.
Captain Sui Pauaraisa said they knew England were going to be the toughest match of their pool.
"England - you know, they're top of the world team," she told Sky Sport.
"Today we didn't get the result and we knew it was going to be tough. But for me, we belong here, and we deserve to be here."
Coach Mata'afa Ramsey Tomokino said when a team does not get many games at this level, it was a tough day for them.
"We played well in patches - obviously we still want to be better but we came up against a class England side - they suffocated us, forced us into errors.
"We wish for our people - obviously we want a better performance, but the girls played with their hearts and they kept fighting right until the end."
He said an opportunity to play in a competition like the Fijiana side in Super W would help them improve.
"We've got mothers, we've got people that work that have taken time off work, we're not professional... but that's not an excuse for us as well. We do want to get better."
England skipper Marlie Packer said both teams went at it for 80 minutes.
"I couldn't be more proud of the Red Roses but also Samoa today as well.
"I think today the way we could most respect Samoa was go out there and play the Red Roses way, and I think we definitely did that as a squad today."
Earlier, Scotland beat the Fijiana 29-15.
Loraini Senivutu (25th minute), Manuqalo Komaitai (51'), and Karalaini Naisewa (75') scored Fiji's tries, but the team were also handed a red and a yellow card.
