| England: (10) 69 |
| Tries: Davies 2, Bern, Packer, Thompson 2, Cleall 2, Botterman, Kildunne 2; Cons: Scarratt 5, Harrison 2 |
| Ireland: (0) 0 |
England beat Ireland 69 to 0. This was a second consecutive win for the Women’s Six Nations.
England only managed two tries against Ireland’s valiant defense during the first period.
After the break, the Red Roses emerged stronger and gave the crowd nine more tries to make it possible for them to win a Grand Slam final in France.
The attendance of 15,836 Welford road fans has surpassed the 14,689 record for England home tickets set in Gloucester.
Emily Scarratt, England celebrated her 100th cap with 10 points at the tee in Leicester, England.
This is England’s 22nd win in a row as they seek a fourth Six Nations title, before the World Cup.
England’s slow start is restricted by Ireland’s troublesome past
The pre-match conversation was focused on two things: Scarratt’s 100th cap and Ireland’s likely struggles with many starting players leaving for the sevens side.
Scarratt’s celebrations went according to plan, her hometown giving her an amazing welcome as she took to her pitch before the anthems.
Ireland didn’t play their role as underdogs in the first half. Lark Davies and Abbie Ward made it look like they were going to win when they went over for Ireland in the opening six minutes.
Ward’s score was invalidated for an earlier forward pass by Leanne Infante and Sarah Bern. Ireland then slowed England down.
Although England was cheered by a record crowd, Ireland won a series of penalties at scrum and were particularly troublesome at the breakdown.
Their defense was outstanding in the 134 tackles in the first half. Hooker Neve, who won two of five turnovers for the side, led the charge on floor.
England’s pace was sometimes too fast for amateur side Ireland, which was pushed by Infante, the scrum-half at her 50th cap. The Red Roses were unable to keep up with it and made some uncharacteristically bad errors in their running attack.
Simon Middleton is focused on England’s selection for the Grand Slam decider, and October’s World Cup. Wing Jess Breach will be thinking back to the missed opportunities that brought an end to two Red Roses runs.
England was forced to rely upon their forwards after Bern hit the ground in another rolling maul. Ireland then fought back.
After 20 minutes, the visitors attacked first. A penalty was placed in front of the posts. Fly-half Nicole Cronin missed it in swirling wind.
Helena Rowland made her first full-back start and was the star of England’s attack. However, it is only the second consecutive game that the Red Roses have had a slow start. This will be something they cannot afford to do against France.
The nine penalties England conceded were likely to have prompted a passionate half-time team discussion. However, Ireland’s victory of keeping their hosts to just two tries in forty minutes is a significant win for them.
More information to come.
Line-ups
England:Rowland; Thompson; Scarratt; Aitchison; Breach; Harrison; Infante; Cornborough; Davies, Bern; Aldcroft; Ward, Matthews; Packer; Hunter (capt).
Replacements: Cokayne, Botterman, Muir, Galligan, Cleall, Hunt, Reed, Kildunne.
Ireland:Scuffil-McCabe, Doyle, Naoupu; Breen, Considine, Cronin; Cronin; Dane; Djougang; Jones, Haney, Fryday (capt), McDermott, Wall, McMahon and O’Connor.
Replacements: Hooban, Pearse, O’Dwyer, Moore, Og O’Leary, Reilly, Claffey, Byrne.