England put on a breath-taking display to down Ireland in the opening fixture of the Women’s Six Nations.
Ireland Women v England Women Post-Match Statistics pack
Katy Daley-McLean notched 16 points as Simon Middleton’s side – second in last year’s Championship to Grand Slam winners France – switched on the afterburners to run in 38 second-half points.
A balanced first 40 saw England just 13-0 to the good at the break, but England came out in style on the resumption to get their Championship bid off to the perfect start.
The Red Roses ended up with eight different try scorers on the night, Bryony Cleall dotting down on her debut to round out an impressive performance.
FAST START
Ireland – downed by England in the November internationals – started on the front foot, Michelle Claffey showing fleet footwork to take the hosts to the England line.
But the 2017 Grand Slam winners demonstrated a solid rear-guard action before pouncing an attack of their own, Jess Breach showing electric pace to dart down the right to score the Championship’s first try and highlight England’s ruthlessness.
Daley-McLean missed the extras from wide, but made amends in the 23rd minute to split the posts with a penalty after strong England pressure.
A flowing England counter-attack fuelled by a lung-busting Sarah Bern run almost resulted in Breach grabbing her second score, but for a fine covering tackle from Lauren Delaney.
And England stalwart Daley-McLean was at the heart of things once again when Sarah McKenna latched onto her deft grubber ahead of Ailsa Hughes to score in the corner and give the visitors a 13-0 lead at the break.
The Red Roses made the perfect start after the break, Bern getting her reward for a dominant performance as she drove over after taking Poppy Cleall’s offload, Daley-McLean making no mistake with the kick.
And the Championship’s 14-time winners showed their class when Lark Davies crossed to give England the bonus point with 46 minutes played.
RUTHLESS ROSES
England weren’t taking any prisoners, with Daley-McLean adding a try to her ever-growing collection of points after an excellent run, before duly stepping up to convert the extras.
But Ireland weren’t to be deterred, showing indefatigable perseverance as a procession of scrums from five metres out resulted in England purposefully collapsing the drive, with a penalty try awarded on the hour.
England restored their advantage with a wonderful score, a fluid passing move ending up with substitute Zoe Harrison weaving her way over.
Emily Scott got her name on the scoresheet to add the finishing touches for England with the clock running down as she crossed out wide, with Bryony Cleall capping a dream debut with a last-minute score.
Ireland Women v England Women Post-Match Statistics pack
