England outclass Wales to set stage for Jillaroos showdown

England have set the stage for a blockbuster showdown with the Jillaroos with a comprehensive victory over Wales in their first game of the IRL Rugby League World Cup. 

Amelia Brown produced one of the plays of the tournament with a spectacular 109-metre runaway try as England piled on the points to claim a 70-6 win at HBF Park.

Wales were brave in their first appearance at an IRL Women's World Cup and there were flashes of brilliance but they were unable to slow England's attacking weapons. 

Brown finished with two tries, while English Super League player of the year Connie Boyd scored a hat-trick on debut. Winger Anna Davies also crossed for three tries, with five-eighth Isabel Rowe claiming a double and three other players crossing the chalk.

Rowe finished with 26 points, equalling the record for most by an English woman in an international match. 

England will spend the week in Perth before returning to HBF Park for next Saturday's blockbuster against Australia. The clash will play a key role in determining the outcome of Pool A, with the winner to secure a place in the semi-finals.

While the Jillaroos will enter the game as favourites, Saturday's performance shows England have the talent and attacking firepower to cause an upset. 

Stuart Barrow's side controlled Saturday's contest from the opening whistle, with Brown crossing in just the third minute.

Wales fought back and Paige Travis secured a slice of history when she charged on to a Tayla Preston short ball to crash over for the nation's first try at a Women's World Cup.

The first half was all England from that point, as they added six more tries to jump out to a 40-6 lead at the break.

Jasmin Strange extended the lead shortly after half-time, with Rowe crossing for her second to bring up the half-century in the 47th minute.

Brown then produced one of the moments of the World Cup, the England winger scooping up a bouncing ball in her own in goal and running 109 metres to score a runaway try. 

Barrow's side added three more from that point, with Davies scoring in the final play of the game to put an exclamation mark on a dominant victory.