Germany's women returned to test rugby after a six-year absence with a convincing 36-0 win against Switzerland on the artificial surface at Heidelberg Rugby Club on Sunday.
Despite missing some key performers such as Steffi Gruber and the Stone sisters, Alyhsha and Larissa, Germany proved too strong for their opponents to run in five tries.
Captain and fly-half Dana Kleine-Grefe was one of five different try scorers and kicked four conversions and a penalty for a personal haul of 16 points.
After Kleine-Grefe’s first strike at goal Germany proceeded to work the ball out wide and were rewarded with quickfire tries for wingers Susanne Pfisterer and Salome Trauth. Kleine-Grefe converted both to hand the home side a 17-0 half-time lead.
Germany did not have to wait long before adding to their score after the restart, flanker Melissa Paul crossing for try number three with the second half just seven minutes old.
Replacement Franziska Holpp added a fourth following a well-worked move, before Kleine-Grefe brought the curtain down on Germany’s best win at this level since they defeated Finland 39-3 in 2008.
The result will come as a disappointment to Switzerland as they continue their preparations for Rugby Europe Women’s Championship 2016, which is to be played in Spain in October.
The World Rugby Women’s Rankings were not affected by the outcome, with Germany remaining in 19th place and Switzerland 37th.