York Valkyrie's Lacey Owen makes dream debut as England thrash Wales

The second-rower met a cut-out pass from Valkyrie teammate Tara-Jane Stanley to cross into the right corner just five minutes into her debut amid a dominant second half for England.

In total, the Valkyrie added 32 points to the scoreboard for Stu Barrow’s side, with full-back Stanley scoring two tries and eight conversions, and centre Tamzin Renouf also crossing the whitewash with a trademark dart on the left edge.

Six members of York’s history-making side featured across both teams, with winger Georgia Taylor doing her fledgling career no harm after being handed her second international cap on the wing for Wales.

The decision to bench Valkyrie captain and newly-crowned Woman of Steel Sinead Peach had raised eyebrows ahead of kick-off, but York’s Stanley, Renouf, Taylor and Liv Wood were all handed starts in Leeds.

Owen scored with her first touch of the ball on her international debut. (Image: Craig Hawkhead)

But all eyes were undoubtedly on impressive half-back Georgia Roche upon her return to Headingley, having won the NRLW title with Newcastle Knights after leaving Leeds Rhinos earlier this year.

Heavy favourites ahead of kick-off, England lived up to that billing to cross for the game’s opening try with nine minutes played, captain Jodie Cunningham sending the Rhinos’ Amy Hardcastle over the whitewash.

And the Leeds star, who lined up alongside Renouf in the centres, doubled hers, and her side’s, tally eight minutes later after Roche sent her through a gaping hole in the Wales defence.

Stanley converted the former but not the latter on another strong afternoon from the tee.

More points followed for Barrow’s side in the 24th minute, St Helens prop Shona Hoyle leaving Stanley with the simplest of conversions after crashing over beneath the posts following a neat link-up between Cunningham and Tara Jones.

Wales were dealt a blow when captain Shaunni Davies headed down the tunnel for a head-injury assessment, and perhaps felt unjust when Wigan Warriors’ Vicky Molyneux only saw yellow for a reckless tackle on Salford Red Devils hooker Brogan Evans in her final international appearance.

The latter presented Tom Brindle’s charges with an outstanding opportunity to get themselves onto the board, but Taylor could not hold onto a poor pass in her direction as she bore down on the line.

Stanley converted eight of her 11 attempts from the tee. (Image: Craig Hawkhead)

Another chance went begging for Wales two minutes later, Kathryn Salter unable to hold onto a pass following Caitlin Beevers’ knock-on.

Instead, it was England who nudged themselves further in front, Beevers darting out of dummy half after an outstanding break from Hardcastle spanning almost the length of the field to give her side a 20-0 lead at the interval.

But the best was to come from England after the break.

Stanley set the tone with a moment of magic after weaving past six Wales defenders to touch down two minutes after the restart, before she set Owen up for a dream debut with a cut-out pass, the second-rower sliding across into the corner.

Roche scored perhaps the pick of the tries after an outrageous dummy that saw her weave past a handful of defenders before crossing the whitewash, Stanley again converting to take the score to 36-0.

The Valkyrie full-back was across the line for her second on the hour mark in a display of pure strength, with Renouf then adding her name among the scorers after an unselfish pass from centre partner Hardcastle.

Valkyrie centre Tamzin Renouf was among England's scorers in the second half. (Image: Craig Hawkhead)

Keara Bennett, who replaced Peach after a fine stint in the closing stages, was next to cross for England with six minutes remaining, another successful Stanley conversion taking the score past the half-century.

There was still time for more joy for the hosts, Emily Rudge completing the flurry of second-half tries on the hooter after being played in by Roche.

Stanley again added the extras, completing England’s 11-try rout.