Red Roses overcome Ireland in Six Nations opener
England Women started their 2019 Six Nations campaign with a bonus-point 51-7 win against Ireland in Dublin.
Daley-Mclean slotted a penalty to extend the lead and then pulled off a superbly weighted grubber that allowed McKenna to race through and dot down, as the Red Roses held a 13-0 lead at half-time.
Bern's powerful burst from Poppy Cleall's offload saw her score, before Davies scored from a driving maul off the back of a lineout as England secured the bonus-point.
Daley-Mclean, who had a 16-point haul on the night, then sniped over before Ireland got their only points when a powerful scrum resulted in a penalty try.
Harrison finished off some excellent offloading with a clever dummy, Scott rounded off a flowing move out on the left wing before debutant Bryony Cleall got England's eighth and final score of the night as she powered over from close range.
New Red Roses
The match in Dublin saw two players make their debuts as Bryony Cleall, twin sister of forward Poppy, and Rosie Galligan came off the bench to feature in a senior Test for the first time.
There was also more valuable minutes for less experienced members of the squad including Sarah Beckett with her second cap, Jess Breach and Tatyana Heard made their third appearances, with Hannah Botterman, Kelly Smith and Shaunagh Brown all earning their sixth caps.
Head coach Simon Middleton has spoken about wanting to grow the squad as they look ahead to the next World Cup in New Zealand in 2021, and all the players will have gained valuable game time as they look to settle in international rugby.
Returning faces
There were a number of players back in the XVs shirt for various reasons with all having a real impact on the team.
Jess Breach, returning from the sevens programme, effortlessly settled back into Test rugby with her early try her 12th in just three outings.
Emily Scarratt and Natasha Hunt are also back from playing sevens for England, with centre Scarratt industrious in midfield while Hunt added energy and impetus when she came on as a replacement.
Prop Sarah Bern put her run of injuries behind her with an excellent performance in the scrum as well as carrying in the loose as shown by her score, while Amy Cokayne returned to international rugby after work commitments and put in an all-action performance as a replacement for Marlie Packer.
Reaction
Head coach Simon Middleton: "Lots and lots to work on especially with our execution, but both defensively and offensively I thought we'd taken some of the stuff we've been working in training on, so really pleased with that."
"In the second half it was about getting some of the girls off the bench and into international rugby, and getting as many minutes into them as possible.
"We'll celebrate tonight for sure because it is a massive win for us, then tomorrow we'll recover and let everyone mentally switch off and we'll be back on it with all of our focus on France in Doncaster."
Teams
Ireland
15. Lauren Delany, 14. Eimear Considine, 13. Sene Naoupu, 12. Michelle Claffey, 11. Megan Williams; 10 Nicole Fowley, 9. Ailsa Hughes; 1. Laura Feely, 2. Leah Lyons, 3. Fiona Reidy, 4. Aoife McDermott, 5. Nichola Fryday, 6. Juliet Short, 7. Claire Molloy, 8. Ciara Griffin (capt).
Replacements: 16. Emma Hooban, 17. Linda Djougang, 18. Anne-Marie O'Hora, 19. Anna Caplice, 20. Claire McLaughlin, 21. Kathryn Dane, 22. Ellen Murphy, 23. Alison Miller.
England
15. Sarah McKenna, 14. Jess Breach, 13. Emily Scarratt, 12. Tatyana Heard, 11. Kelly Smith, 10. Katy Daley-Mclean, 9. Leanne Riley; 1. Hannah Botterman, 2. Lark Davies, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Catherine O’Donnell, 5. Poppy Cleall, 6. Sarah Beckett, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Sarah Hunter.
Replacements 16. Amy Cokayne, 17. Bryony Cleall, 18. Shaunagh Brown, 19. Rosie Galligan, 20. Rowena Burnfield, 21. Natasha Hunt, 22. Zoe Harrison, 23. Emily Scott.
England Women 2019 Six Nations
Ireland 7-51 England
England v France
Sunday 10 February, KO 12.45pm GMT - live Sky Sports
Castle Park, Doncaster
Wales v England
Sunday 24 February, KO 12.30pm GMT – live Sky Sports
Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
England v Italy
Saturday 9 March, KO 12.05pm GMT - live Sky Sports
Sandy Park, Exeter
England v Scotland
Saturday 16 March, KO 7.30pm - live Sky Sports
Twickenham Stadium
