England beat Italy in Women’s Six Nations after Vicky Fleetwood hat-trick

England overcame Italy 29-15 at the Twickenham Stoop to preserve their unbeaten start to the Six Nations but the win was marred by a red card for Katy McLean.

A hat-trick of tries from the hooker Vicky Fleetwood – the first hat-trick for a front-row in the history of the women’s tournament – and one each from the wings Amy Wilson Hardy and Kay Wilson helped England secure a bonus-point victory despite being reduced to 13 players in the second half.

McLean, a replacement fly-half, was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle and England then had Poppy Cleall sent to the sin-bin for the same offence.

Italy’s tries came from Sofia Stefan, Sara Barattin and Manuela Furlan but England safely saw out their third win in the championship. The victory takes them to the top of the Women’s Six Nations table, with Ireland and France facing each other in Dublin on Sunday.

Paying tribute to Fleetwood’s hat-trick performance, the England head coach, Simon Middleton, told the RFU website: “Vicky is a great athlete, she’s waited patiently in the wings and showed her versatility today when she went into the back row. She’s a great player and we are blessed to have her.”

Italy had taken the lead in the fourth minute, when Stefan dived on Furlan’s kick through in the corner. England responded 10 minutes later, when Emily Scarratt offloaded for Wilson to score and Wilson Hardy then crossed on the other wing to put her side ahead.

Fleetwood scored her third and fourth tries for England in the space of five minutes to seal the try bonus point after 31 minutes. The Saracens hooker scored her third of the match, and her third from a catch and drive, five minutes after the break with the Italy pack struggling to contain England’s rolling maul.

Italy scored their second try after 56 minutes, when Barattin pounced on Furlan’s kick, and the Aylesford Bulls full-back then scored one of her own.

England ended the match with 14 players after McLean was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle, and they were reduced to 13 players in the 68th minute, when Cleall was sent to the sin-bin for another dangerous tackle.

Middleton added: “It was frustrating at times but credit to Italy – they were outstanding. Full marks to our players at the end, they showed fantastic character when they were down to 13 with eight minutes left on the clock.”