Summary

  • England beat Ireland 51-7 at Energia Park in Dublin

  • England score eight ties, six in the second half

  • Breach & McKenna go over in first half

  • Bern, Davies, Daley-Mclean, Harrison, Scott & Cleall score after the break

  • Ireland on the board through a penalty try in 62nd minute

  1. Byepublished at 18:59 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2019

    A solid start to England's Six Nations campaign and a nice high-scoring match to kick off the competition.

    For a recap of what went on, you can read the report here.

    Thanks for reading!

  2. Postpublished at 18:57 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2019

    The Six Nations action doesn't end here of course.

    You can choose whether to continue your rugby viewing with France v Wales in the men's competition or Scotland v Italy in the women's.

  3. 'The way we kept the ball will be the benchmark'published at 18:55 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2019

    FT: Ireland 7-51 England

    England fly-half Katy Daley-Mclean said: "Ireland were a very different proposition to what we faced in the autumn so we had to keep the ball and play long phases.

    "We have had a decent amount of time coming in to the game and we have worked on what we needed to get better. They do not get much tougher than this. It is a five-game tournament and it's really important you build.

    "The way we kept the ball towards the end was pleasing and that will be the benchmark."

  4. Postpublished at 18:55 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2019

    FT: Ireland 7-51 England

    Ireland provided tough competition, but England's real test comes against France next weekend.

    All eyes will be on Les Bleues to see how they get on against Wales in France tomorrow.

    Simon Middleton did at least say his England side would get a chance to celebrate tonight.

    "It’s a massive win for us," he said. "Tomorrow we'll recover and get back on it the day after that and be all eyes to Doncaster."

  5. 'Outstanding defensive effort'published at 18:51 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2019

    FT: Ireland 7-51 England

    England coach Simon Middleton said:

    "Our defensive effort in particular was outstanding. The scoreline flatters us and doesn't do Ireland justice. It was a tough game.

    "There's lots to work on, but we took some of the stuff we'd been working on and executed it so I'm really pleased.

    "We wanted to get players off the bench and into international rugby and I thought they were great."

  6. 'England were too strong'published at 18:49 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2019

    FT: Ireland 7-51 England

    Rocky Clark
    Former England prop and World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    From 1-15 they all had brilliant games and the replacements also had a huge impact. Ireland gave everything but England were too strong, whether they were playing their tight power game or running it wide.

  7. Postpublished at 18:47 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2019

    FT: Ireland 7-51 England

    England form a huddle in the centre of the field as Sarah Hunter talks to her team. Eight tries from eight different scorers - you have to hope it's a positive chat.

  8. Full-timepublished at 18:46 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2019

    FT: Ireland 7-51 England

    England's Emily Scott tries to gather the kick but knocks on to finish the game.

    A great start to the Six Nations for the Red Roses.

    RosesImage source, Getty Images
  9. Postpublished at 82 mins

    Ireland 7-51 England

    The clock goes red but Ireland are looking for one more try.

    They're almost up to England's 22, but Michelle Claffey's offload goes loose. Megan Williams regathers but the momentum has gone out of Ireland's attack.

  10. 'She is a big unit'published at 18:44 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2019

    Ireland 7-51 England

    Rocky Clark
    Former England prop and World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    I think it is going to be a happy night in the Cleall house. Bryony is a big unit and she goes straight over.

  11. try

    Try - Ireland 7-51 Englandpublished at 80 mins

    Bryony Cleall (Con Daley-Mclean)

    A try on her debut!

    What a day for Bryony Cleall. Natasha Hunt is brought down a metre from the tryline but England pick and go to send Cleall over.

    It's an easy conversion for Katy Daley-Mclean in front of the posts.

    Katy Daley-McleanImage source, Getty Images
  12. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Ireland 7-44 England

    Jess Breach has another go on the right. England won't be thanking scrum-half Natasha Hunt for the speed with which she's recycling the ball. They must be exhausted.

  13. Postpublished at 79 mins

    Ireland 7-44 England

    England haven't quite had enough tries yet, it seems.

    Sarah McKenna goes steaming down the left wing after the restart and England are already deep into Ireland's half.

  14. 'Great speed and poise'published at 18:40 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2019

    Ireland 7-44 England

    Rocky Clark
    Former England prop and World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

    It was a great offload by Tatyana Heard to put Emily Scott away, and the replacement showed great speed and poise to score.

  15. try

    Try - Ireland 7-44 Englandpublished at 76 mins

    Emily Scott

    Emily Scott has Tatyana Heard to thank for that one.

    The centre sends a perfect offload as she's brought down to send wing Scott over on the left.

    Katy Daley-Mclean misses the conversion.

  16. Postpublished at 76 mins

    Ireland 7-39 England

    Katy Daley-Mclean is deservedly awarded player of the match. She's been a crucial playmaker for England today.

    Katy Daley-McleanImage source, Getty Images
  17. Postpublished at 75 mins

    Ireland 7-39 England

    Natasha Hunt is still playing sevens by the looks of it.

    She takes the penalty at lightning speed and is straight up to the 22. A big carry from Shaunagh Brown brings the Red Roses to 7m out.

  18. Postpublished at 74 mins

    Ireland 7-39 England

    Ireland are not phased by the scoreline. They're still desperate to create attacking opportunities.

    Megan Williams can find no space on the right wing though and eventually England win a penalty at the breakdown.

  19. Replacementpublished at 73 mins

    Ireland 7-39 England

    Ireland's front row of Laura Feely, Leah Lyons and Fiona Reidy leave the field.

    Linda Djougang and Anne Marie O'Hora are on for their debuts, Emma Hooban joining them.

  20. Postpublished at 72 mins

    Ireland 7-39 England

    Ireland line-out just inside England's half. They whip the ball right, but the pass to Megan Williams on the right wing goes astray to give England a penalty.