Wales Women 3-59 England: Hosts blown away by Red Roses despite impressive start in Six Nations

Wales were blown away by a ruthless second-half as they fell to a heavy defeat against defending champions England in the Women's Six Nations in Cardiff.

Ioan Cunningham's side had challenged the Red Roses for much of the first-half, but nine tries without reply saw Simon Middleton's side pull away convincingly in the end in front of a record crowd of 8,862.

Often in Welsh rugby, it's the hope that kills you. The hope that, be it in the face of the men's continual inability to conquer the All Blacks or the sheer might of England women's dominance over all before them, this time might be different.

But, in a sun-kissed, sold-out Arms Park, the stranglehold of that hope wasn't excruciating as it often is. Instead, as Wales more than matched their opponents for much of the first-half, that hope was liberating given it was always tempered by realistic expectations.

After all, while there was a Triple Crown on offer for Wales after wins over Ireland and Scotland, this match was as much about measuring how far Wales had come and how far they had to go. Still not long into professionalism, this was the acid test for Wales and the opening half-hour offered a glimpse into what would hopefully become the norm in years to come.

And Wales played their part and then some in an enthralling encounter, with the crowd thriving off every little battle won by those in red.

The front-row of Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu continued to live up to their billing with a couple of early scrum penalties, while the Welsh backline showed ambition and continually found edges thanks to the vision and quick hands of captain Hannah Jones.

A spell of sustained pressure saw hooker Jones held up on 13 minutes, with Wales having to settle