One could tell the locals were up for it by the length of the pre-match pasty queues but this was West Country rugby with a refreshing twist. It was not quite how New Zealand had planned to mark their 100th Test but a healthy crowd of almost 10,000 enjoyed it hugely on a bright, breezy afternoon. Zoe Harrison also had a good game at fly-half to earn the player of the match award, assisted by the crisp passing of her half-back partner Claudia MacDonald and a strong all-round display from the inside centre Lagi Tuima. Abbie Ward scored the first two tries and had a third disallowed while Abby Dow and Ellie Kildunne were a constant attacking handful. The eye-catching outcome was even achieved despite the pre-match loss of their vice-captain, Amber Reed, who tweaked a hamstring in training, and the injured Emily Scarratt, with virtually every area of the team contributing. By the end, though, they had inflicted the biggest defeat the Black Ferns have suffered – the previous record margin was 21-7 against England a decade ago – and showcased both the fitness of the home forwards and their increasing depth behind the scrum.

It might sound greedy to suggest England should have scored more than seven tries but they had the chances to do so.

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