...England counter from their own 22, Kay Wilson makes 50m down the left wing and England scent a try.

They try to hammer over from close range but are held up - scrum England.

They go again but winger Kay Wilson is tackled just short as England fizz the ball wide, and a knock-on at the breakdown gives Ireland a put-in at a scrum.

Ireland might be out-gunned but there's one thing they do very well indeed - the driving maul from the line-out.

They finally establish a position in the England 22 and the Red Roses can only stop the first drive the first time by infringing, but on their second attempt they lose the ball and alarm bells start ringing right across the park...

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This time the Ireland scrum holds firm, but it's not just England's forwards looking threatening.

When the pack gives the backs the ball, captain and fly-half Katy Mclean fizzes an inviting pass to Kay Wilson and the Bristol wing finishes in style in the corner despite despairing Irish cover.

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Former England scrum-half Amy Turner: "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out what England are trying to do. They are playing for scrum time and Sarah Hunter's football skills at the back of the scrum are world class."

England's scrum barging its way forward like its the Boxing Day sales. Ireland's pack has no answer and after being driven back 15m are penalised.

England, gimlet-eyed and eyeing a bargain, pack down again. They want a try here...

The ball squirms out of England flanker Maggie Alphonsi's grasp and Ireland mount their first attack for some time, but Alison Miller is brought down as she tries to round Kat Merchant.

The Ireland winger holds on in desperation as she waits for support but the England defence swarm over her like hyenas on a carcass and it's a penalty to the Red Roses.

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Former England scrum-half Amy Turner: "England created great momentum in the last five minutes of the first half and have taken it into the second half. They are trying to snuff out any sort of a positivity from Ireland."

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Classy move, Ireland infringe and England look set to extend their lead as they are awarded a penalty.

Inside-centre Rachael Burford dummies a return pass to Katy Mclean and instead cuts through the Ireland midfield defence and draws Niamh Briggs before finding Emily Scarratt in support.

Lynne Cantwell times her tackle to perfection to cut down the superb Scarratt, but Ireland infringe and the Lichfield centre picks herself up to slot the penalty.

Andrew Priestley:, external Behind at half-time, but I have a feeling this Irish team are going to dominate in the second half and complete a comeback.

England's Joanna McGilchrist runs into Ireland second row Marie Louise Reilly with no thought of anything other than SMASHING her.

The 6ft 3in Reilly has the same plan and the shuddering collision would grace any rugby match. England looking the brighter at the start of the second 40.

We're back. Five finals in a row for England, or an Irish fightback to secure their first ever appearance?

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Former England scrum-half Amy Turner: "I don't think the score reflects the game. Ireland have been left a bit skinny out wide. Emily Scarratt has utilised the space the Irish have left and she has been involved in some of England's opportunities. Ireland will be taking all the positives - they had a moment when they had 15-16 phases without an error. They truly believe if they graft they will get the points."

A half of two halves perhaps.

Ireland were superb for the first 20 minutes, ruling the line-out, smashing England back in the tackle and hugely effective at the breakdown.

They fully deserved to score the game's first try, but has the Irish storm blown itself out?

The last 20 was all England as their pack munched Ireland in the scrum and, with a good supply of possession to play with, England's power, pace and class across the pitch began to tell.

Emily Scarratt looked a class apart and Ireland will need all their renowned grit and determination if they are to turn this match round and prevent England reaching a fifth final in a row.

Emily Scarratt is a real threat and once again an incisive intervention from the 5ft 11in outside centre bears dividends.

She bursts through midfield on a flat pass, Ireland infringe and she will go for goal again.

The 24-year-old strokes the kick straight down the middle and all of a sudden England look in total control.

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That was Kat Merchant's 44th try in 57 appearances.

Meanwhile, Niamh Briggs sends a penalty over the dead-ball line, rather than into the corner. Big let-off for England who win the scrum and clear.

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Former England scrum-half Amy Turner: "It was a great try and great execution from Kat Merchant. Great to see the bench warming up and then jumping for joy when Kat went over."

Katy Mclean's lovely pass finds Emily Scarratt and a gliding 50m break by the long-striding centre takes England to within five metres.

England recycle, skip it down the line and Kat Merchant has the pace and power to round Alison Miller and score in the corner.

Up steps Scarratt and over goes the very difficult conversion. Fine rugby all round.

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Former England scrum-half Amy Turner: It's quite clear this will go down to the wire.

Yum, yum, the England props love marmalise sandwiches.

Once again they devour the Ireland pack and this time it's a penalty.

Up steps Emily Scarratt and this time she makes no mistake - England lead for the first time in the match.

Graeme Rankin:, external Come on Ireland beat the English please