Red Roses defeat Ireland in Leicester
England ran in 11 tries at Welford Road to down Ireland 69-0 in the TikTok Women's Six Nations.
Simon Middleton's charges are now unbeaten in 22 consecutive matches, and will play France in a Grand Slam decider next weekend, at Stade Jean Dauger, Bayonne.
The Red Roses took little time to get things going against Ireland, crossing inside the opening two minutes, Lark Davis dotting down off the back of a trademark rolling maul. Their second came on the 17-minute mark, in the same circumstances and corner as the first, though Sarah Bern was the benefactor.
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Ireland looked frustrated, as Nicole Cronin's missed penalty kick in front of the posts symbolised their first half in attack, though their defence was commendable, thwarting multiple Red Roses' chances and forcing turnovers or penalties on their own line. Due to that effort, Greg McWilliams' side went in at the break just 10-0 down.
England enjoyed 59% possession in the opening half, and made 228 more metres, 26 more carries and 46 more passes whilst beating 11 more defenders than their counterparts. However, Ireland boasted more success at set piece, winning more scrums and lineouts, and forced five more turnovers than the hosts.
The Red Roses started the second half as they did the first, scoring inside the opening two minutes. After a succession of carries, the ball was spread through the hands to Marlie Packer on the wing, and the flanker powered past Michelle Claffey to go over. Emily Scarratt, making her 100th Test appearance, added the extras to make it 17-0.
Moments later Ireland flanker Dorothy Wall was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle on Jess Breach, who was subsequently replaced by Ellie Kildunne, and England took immediate advantage of the extra player as Davis bagged her second of the match - securing the bonus point. Scarratt's successful conversion extended England's lead to 24 points.
Lydia Thompson bagged the game's best score; a set piece move off a line out saw Holly Aitchison lift a pass behind the hard running line of Scarratt and into the path of Helena Rowland. The full back ate up space in front of her before committing the Irish line and fizzing a 15 metre pass into Thompson's hands for an easy try.
Replacement Poppy Cleall wrestled over from close range for England's sixth try on 56 minutes, and Leanne Infante - on her 50th cap - was replaced by Natasha Hunt just before Hannah Botterman claimed try number seven. Scarratt successfully converted both to make it 43-0, as the hour mark passed.
Cleall scored another on 65 minutes, off the base of a dominant five metre scrum, followed by a jinxing Kildunne try moments later. Both were converted - one by Scarratt and the other courtesy of Zoe Harrisson. Outside centre Sene Naoupu was shown a red card for a head clash with Scarratt, as the last 10 minutes of the Test saw second scores from Kildunne and Thompson, confirming a comprehensive win.
The match, attended by 15,836 fans, was the Red Roses' second clean sheet of the tournament.
Teams
Red Roses
15. Helena Rowland, 14 Lydia Thompson, 13. Emily Scarratt, 12. Holly Aitchison, 11. Jessica Breach, 10. Zoe Harrison, 9. Leanne Infante, 1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Lark Davies, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Zoe Aldcroft, 5. Abbie Ward, 6. Alex Matthews, 7. Marlie Packer, 8. Sarah Hunter (c).
Finishers
16. Amy Cokayne, 17. Hannah Botterman, 18. Maud Muir, 19. Rosie Galligan, 20. Poppy Cleall, 21. Natasha Hunt, 22. Amber Reed, 23. Ellie Kildunne.
Ireland
15. Molly Scuffil-McCabe, 14. Aoife Doyle, 13. Sene Naoupu, 12. Enya Breen, 11. Eimear Considine, 10. Nicole Cronin, 9. Kathryn Dane, 1. Linda Djougang, 2. Neve Jones, 3. Christy Haney, 4. Nichola Fryday, 5. Aoife McDermott, 6. Dorothy Wall, 7. Edel McMahon, 8. Hannah O’Connor.
Replacements
16. Emma Hooban, 17. Chloe Pearse, 18. Katie O’Dwyer, 19. Grace Moore, 20. Maeve Óg O’Leary, 21. Aoibheann Reilly, 22. Michelle Claffey, 23. Niamh Byrne.
Fixtures & Results
Red Roses 69 - 0 Ireland
France v Red Roses - 30 April
