It was not ideal from the defending world champions but it was a job well enough done, particularly with a new-look side.
Wing Kay Wilson ran in four tries as the reigning world champions opened their bid to retain the crown in ominous fashion in Dublin.
Simon Middleton can expect far harder challenges as the tournament progresses but considering he made five changes to the side that defeated New Zealand in June, and handed 12 members of his squad a first taste of World Cup action, he can content with his side’s opener, even if Danielle Waterman and the commanding Katy Mclean appeared to suffer injury scares. Meg Jones takes advantage of some atrocious defending to scamper through the defensive line before a clever side step dumbfounds the fullback.
Indeed, Spain were caught in the headlights in the opening minutes, England determined to dazzle. They are joined by Abbie Scott, Heather Kerr and Zoe Aldcroft in the forwards.
England last played Spain in the pool stages of the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Together with Cleall, they all featured in England’s Six Nations Grand Slam campaign this year.
Diana Gasso claimed Spain’s sole score as England flexed their muscles in style.
Emily Scarratt, a World Cup victor in 2014, is set to make her 70th appearance for the Red Roses off the bench, while number eight Sarah Hunter will captain the side.
She scored her fourth of the match in the second-half as Spain were unable to respond. Scarratt, taking over the kicking duties, nailed the conversion.
Harriet Millar-Mills, Alex Matthews, Amy Cokayne and Lydia Thompson completed the rout as England kept Spain pointless in the second half, yet while they were left to pat each other on the back and analyse what went right and what needs to be worked on, New Zealand were busy issuing their response a stone’s throw away at Dublin’s Billings Park.
Fearless effort from Spain but they couldn’t live with England’s offloading game and power from their loose forwards in Millar-Mills and Noel-Smith, along with Matthews later on.