Merchant stars for England A

Having lost 29-0 to the same opposition this time last year, Spain game into their game with revenge in mind and gave their more experienced opponents a tough workout.

It took England 30 minutes to score with Merchant showing all of her experience with a superb turn of pace out wide to take her to the line.

Spain though didnt roll over but despite a lot of possession high up the field, made crucial errors at key moments failing to capitalise on a good number of attacks.

England were impressive in attack in the second half launching a number of incisive breaks but the Spanish defence held firm until late in the game when replacement wing Jennifer Edwards managed to touch down.

Spain battled to the final whistle and were rewarded with their own score when first

Barbara Pla made a good burst and then Isabel Rodriguez found a hole to reduce the game to 10-5.

Spain head coach Agnes Etxeguibel said: We dominated possession and but some decisions cost us dearly. We didnt lose spirit to the last moment but it was a shame, because we had a realistic chance of winning the game.

Meanwhile in France, their A team beat the Netherlands 37-3. The Netherlands played five games in 2009 beating Sweden twice and Belgium and Russia but losing to Scotland and they came into the game confident of playing well against more experienced opposition. France A dominated throughout however and ran out easy winners.