Ireland begin their Six Nations campaign with an interesting test.
England will be heavy favourites today at Twickenham.
They won the equivalent fixture 49-5 last year, and 88-10 the last time the sides met in London in the Six Nations.
Historically, England have won 21 of the 30 editions of this competition, with Ireland triumphing twice, in 2013 and 2015.
Yet Ireland have improved since Scott Bemand’s appointment as coach in 2023, including reaching the World Cup quarter-finals before a narrow loss to France last year.
Today, the visitors will be hoping to provide more evidence that they are going in the right direction.
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LIVE: England v Ireland, Women's Six Nations Championship
England 21-0 Ireland
Bern powers over for her second try of the match.
Moloney-MacDonald made the initial bursting run, and there was some doubt over whether she was tackled into touch, but the official awards the try.
Rowland converts from a difficult angle.
TRY FOR ENGLAND! 19-0
28 mins: Ireland are penalised for another knock-on.
They haven’t been able to get going at all from an attacking perspective.
26 mins: Ireland have steadied the ship somewhat in recent minutes, winning a couple of penalties.
As I type, they have a lineout just outside the English 22.
Here’s a look at England’s first try…
22 mins: Packer executes a brilliant kick to put Ireland under further pressure well into their half.
This is already starting to feel a little like a damage limitation exercise for Bemand’s side.
20 mins: After a long spell of pressure,
Sarah Bern dives under the posts amidst an abundance of bodies.
The conversion straight in front of the posts by Rowland is successful.
TRY FOR ENGLAND!
17 mins: England are knocking on the door again.
Jess Breach shows terrific pace out wide but is tackled just shy of the try line.
14 mins: Another handling error for Ireland in a promising position around the 22.
This time, Lane is the culprit.
9 mins: Another frustrating error for Ireland.
Higgins runs with the ball and drops it as she attempts to make the pass.
It’s been a difficult start for the visitors.
9 mins: England win a lineout deep into Irish territory.
Amy Cokayne gets possession in a driving maul and scores a comfortable enough try.
Rowland makes no mistake with the conversion.
TRY FOR ENGLAND!
6 mins: Signs of nerves perhaps, as Ireland have made a couple of unforced errors in these early stages.
A lineout has just gone astray and handed England back possession.
Bad start for Ireland.
Two players go for the same ball at kick-off and Higgins ends up knocking on.
It gives England a scrum on the 22.
We’re underway…
And here’s a reminder of the England team that will line out…
15. Ellie Kildunne
14. Jess Breach
13. Megan Jones (captain)
12. Helena Rowland
11. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald
10. Holly Aitchison
9. Lucy Packer
1. Kelsey Clifford
2. Amy Cokayne
3. Sarah Bern
4. Morwenna Talling
5. Lilli Ives Campion
6. Maddie Feaunati
7. Sadia Kabeya
8. Alex Matthews
Replacements
16. Connie Powell
17. Mackenzie Carson
18. Maud Muir
19. Haineala Lutui
20. Abi Burton
21. Natasha Hunt
22. Zoe Harrison
23. Emma Sing
A reminder of Ireland’s starting XV announced earlier in the week…
15. Stacey Flood
14. Béibhinn Parsons
13. Aoife Dalton
12. Eve Higgins
11. Vicky Elmes Kinlan
10. Dannah O’Brien
9. Emily Lane
1. Ellena Perry
2. Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald
3. Linda Djougang
4. Dorothy Wall
5. Fiona Tuite
6. Brittany Hogan
7. Erin King
8. Aoife Wafer
Replacements:
16. Neve Jones
17. Niamh O’Dowd
18. Eilís Cahill
19. Ruth Campbell
20. Grace Moore
21. Katie Whelan
22. Nancy McGillivray
23. Anna McGann
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
Ireland begin their Six Nations campaign with an interesting test.
England will be heavy favourites today at Twickenham.
They won the equivalent fixture 49-5 last year, and 88-10 the last time the sides met in London in the Six Nations.
Historically, England have won 21 of the 30 editions of this competition, with Ireland triumphing twice, in 2013 and 2015.
Yet Ireland have improved since Scott Bemand’s appointment as coach in 2023, including reaching the World Cup quarter-finals before a narrow loss to France last year.
Today, the visitors will be hoping to provide more evidence that they are going in the right direction.
Kick off is at 2.25pm.
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