REIGNING RBS Six Nations champions England Women sent out a clear message when they inflicted a dominating 55-0 defeat on Wales in the opening game of the championship.

With Worcester's Catherine Spencer captaining the side, England ran in nine tries.

Saracens centre Claire Allan was at the forefront of England's attack and claimed a hat-trick of tries, while Saracen team-mate Charlotte Barras, Lichfield's Sarah Hunter, Wasps duo Michaela Staniford and Jane Leonard and Worcester's Katherine Merchant all added to the score sheet in a dominant performance.

n An experienced Nomads outfit just had the edge on England Women A' running in five tries to secure a 27-12 victory.

The Nomads outfit, who had 584 caps between them compared to England A's five, were led superbly by captain and former England international Susie Appleby who also claimed a hat-trick of tries.

The A' team had Worcester prop Samantha Dale and Sixways openside Gemma Sharples in the starting XV and scrum-half Sarah Guest on the bench The game will act as great preparation for the remainder of the season which sees the team take on Spain and France A away before hosting the Nomads again on March 15 at London Irish RFC.

n Bath wing Natasha Hunt claimed a hat-trick of tries to ease England Women Under 20s to their first win of the season at Taff's Wells RFC as they beat Wales Under 20s 31-0.

Worcester had a trio of players in the XV with prop Laura Keates, scrum-half Sarah Guest and wing Samantha Bree.

The young England international claimed three of five tries which also saw skipper and club team-mate Nicola Hoole on the score sheet alongside another Bath player Isabelle Noel-Smith.

England Women Under 20s will next be in action against Wales Under 20s at Heythrop Park in Oxfordshire on March 27 ahead of a two-week tour to Canada in July.