World champions England fight back in style to beat Australia in opening match of WXV Global Series in Salford
England trailed at half-time for the first time since November 2020 after Faliki Pohiva's try put the visitors 10-5 ahead
But John Mitchell's side scored seven second-half tries to extend their winning run to 39 successive matches
May Campbell's try gave England the lead early in second half
Captain Meg Jones, debutant Bryony Field, Mia Venner, Sadia Kabeya, Lucy Packer and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald added further tries as England powered clear
Player of the match Abi Burton scored England's only first-half try
The Six Nations champions play Canada and New Zealand over the next two weekends
Bryony Field (con missed)
A try on debut for Bryony Field!
The replacement hooker gets into position at the back of the maul and rides the first pause before powering over on the second drive.
Holly Aitchison misses the conversion.
England 17-10 Australia
It's one-way traffic. England earn another penalty and Holly Aitchison once again hoofs it to the left corner. Huge maul incoming.
Lucy Packer has replaced Natasha Hunt for England.
Australia captain Siokapesi Palu Sekona makes way for Piper Duck.
Kat Merchant
2014 World Cup winner on BBC iPlayer
It's really, really nice. We said how Holly Aitchison has something different with her game and she threads it through beautifully. It's a good pick up from Meg Jones as well.
Meg Jones (con missed)
Excellent vision from Holly Aitchison! She threads a kick through Australia's defence and it sits up beautifully for Meg Jones.
Aitchison misses the conversion from just to the left of the posts. She had a teammate holding the ball steady for her. Tricky kicking conditions.
England 12-10 Australia
Ear muffs for you or the baby, Ali?
After a lengthy pause, during which some England players complain that Australia's delay is "killing the game", there's a scrum on the halfway line.
England's new-look front row bulldoze through it. The hosts have the penalty. Dominant.
England 12-10 Australia
Alastair Telfer
BBC Sport journalist at CorpAcq Stadium
Think I have seen the youngest Red Roses fan here.
The couple behind me have a baby who must be only a matter of weeks old.
Ear muffs are on!
England 12-10 Australia
England head coach John Mitchell rings the front-row changes following that try.
Mackenzie Carson, May Campbell and Sarah Bern make way for debutant Bryony Field, Hannah Botterman, and Maud Muir. Botterman is making her first appearance since last year's World Cup final.
Australia also make changes to their pack. Brianna Hoy is replaced by Allana Sikimeti.
England 12-10 Australia
Alastair Telfer
BBC Sport journalist at CorpAcq Stadium
That is massive sign of respect to Australia that England had to turn to their lethal maul.
It will always get them out of trouble.
Katy Daley-McLean
England's 2014 World Cup winning captain on BBC iPlayer
We know England can pull that one out of their back pocket.
I don't think England are playing badly but things haven't been coming off. It's good to see them challenged.
May Campbell (con Holly Aitchison)
England make no mistake at the second time of asking! May Campbell sends in the throw before jogging into position at the back of the maul. Drive, drive, drive, try.
Holly Aitchison kicks the conversion - the first points of her 50th cap.
England 5-10 Australia
Emily Chancellor is pinged for a knock-on, palming down May Campbell's pass.
England kick for the corner, make a hash of the line-out, but are handed a second chance thanks to an infraction by Eva Karpani.
England 5-10 Australia
England earn a free-kick from the scrum and it's quickly followed by a penalty, with Australia offside. Silly errors from the visitors. They cannot gift England territory like that.
England 5-10 Australia
Ellie Kildunne is caught in a moment of indecision as she looks for an offload before being wrapped up by three Australia players.
There's a huge hit from Faliki Pohiva, who needed help from the Australia medical team to leave the field at half-time, on Holly Aitchison.
It's the last action for Pohiva, who is replaced by Eva Karpani.
England 5-10 Australia
There was an HIA replacement for Australia late in the first half, with Emily Chancellor coming on for Lily Bone.
That switch is now permanent.
England 5-10 Australia
The players are back out for the second half, with England's Holly Aitchison getting play under way.
We think this is the first time England have trailed at the halfway mark since 2020 - how will they respond?
HT: England 5-10 Australia
Speaking ahead of the match, England head coach John Mitchell praised Australia's fast starts but said "the challenge is whether they can sustain it for 80 minutes".
They're 40 minutes away from a maiden victory over England.
HT: England 5-10 Australia
Image source, Getty ImagesOff the pitch, England captain Meg Jones wants Red Roses players to have access to fertility support and egg freezing.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Jones said: "Why should my opportunity to have a family be taken away from me because I want to pursue my career?"
Jones revealed she has already started her fertility journey with her fiancee after visiting a clinic to have their egg count checked.
The 29-year-old says that she's an "open book" on some subjects and wants to "share her journey" as she discusses both her upcoming wedding and family planning with equal comfort.
"We were looking to freeze, but actually the advice was we don't need to freeze yet so we can probably wait till after the wedding," said Jones. "That's where we were going to look to conceive."
The Red Roses are considered to have one of the best maternity policies in international women's sport, with two World Cup winners having recently given birth and two more expecting.
You can read more from Jones' interview with BBC Sport's Sara Orchard here.
Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say
Poor decision making, a lack of discipline at the ruck, a lack of intensity - nothing to do with the size of the ball, even if poor handling is down to the ball or the conditions. Rustiness I hope, wouldn’t like to think it’s complacency.
JM, Cornwall
HT: England 5-10 Australia
Well, that was a curious first half.
Australia opened the scoring from the boot of Samantha Wood, converting a penalty.
England thought they'd hit back in the ninth minute through Meg Jones, but her try was chalked off for offside.
However, a sharp passing move down the left wing was finished off by Abi Burton in the 18th minute, giving the Red Roses a 5-3 lead.
Australia also had a try disallowed, penalised for obstruction at the line-out, but Faliki Pohiva's 31st minute score restored their lead.
At the break, Australia lead 10-5.
Kat Merchant
2014 World Cup winner on BBC iPlayer
I think Australia's defence has been the talk of the half. Their physicality is ruining the ball for England.
I don't think this is a bad position to be in for England because it asks them what they have to put this right and I think they will take control and win.
The world champions being down at half-time is good for rugby. This is why we love these tournaments.
