Red Roses v Ireland Women: preview, teams, stats
The Red Roses look to continue their 100% start to the Women’s Six Nations as they face Ireland in front of a sell-out crowd.
England have beaten France and Scotland so far in defence of the Grand Slam they won last year, but Ireland are also two wins from two to start the tournament and sit on the same points as England.
Simon Middleton has made three changes to the side that won in Murrayfield with a new half back pairing of Leanne Riley and Katy Daley-Mclean, while Sarah McKenna returns at full back.
Ireland, who have never beaten England in England, have made two changes as wing Aoife Doyle and centre Katie Fitzherny come into their backline.
- When? Sunday 23 February
- Kick-off? 1245 GMT
- Where? Castle Park, Doncaster
- Coverage? Watch on Sky One, Sky Sports Action, Sky Sports YouTube and EnglandRugby.com, follow on England Rugby Instagram and Twitter
VIEWS FROM THE CAMP
England head coach Simon Middleton: “Our leadership group deserve a lot of credit for the way they’ve kept everyone together and impacted on both on-field and off-field sessions. The influence they have on the team, our preparation and ultimately our performances is growing ever week.
“We also know we have a group of players who can rise to any challenge and a game to suit all conditions, we have shown that over the first two rounds and we know we have the qualities to do it again on Sunday regardless of whatever either Ireland or the weather throw up.
“This is the third time we will have played at Castle Park. It’s fantastic to see the game is now sold-out and we are all grateful for the support. Yorkshire is a real hotbed of rugby union, a proud rugby area and we’re really looking forward to Sunday’s game.”
Ireland head coach Adam Griggs: “England are the defending champions and are coming into this game unbeaten too so it’s going to be a real challenge. However we intend to focus on what we can control within our own game and believe if we get our systems right that we should be able to really put them under pressure.
“We have no intention of giving them anything easy and are relishing the opportunity to test ourselves against one of the best in the world.”
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
- 1 February 2019: Ireland 7-51 England
- 24 November 2018: England 37-15 Ireland
- 16 March 2018: England 33-11 Ireland
- 17 March 2017: Ireland 7-34 England
- 13 November 2016: Ireland 10-12 England
- 27 February 2016: England 13-9 Ireland
- 14 November 2015: England 8-3 Ireland
- 27 February 2015: Ireland 11-8 England
- 18 August 2014: England 40-7 Ireland
- 22 February 2014: England 17-10 Ireland
KEY STATS
- The Red Roses have won their last seven meetings against Ireland
- Ireland's only two wins ever against England came in 2013 and 2015, in the years they won the Women’s Six Nations
- Ireland are currently ranked ninth in the latest World Rugby rankings
- Abby Dow currently tops the try scoring charts for the Six Nations with three in two games, with Emily Scarratt the top points scorer on 22
- Beibhinn Parsonsa and Ciodhna Moloney both have two tries for Ireland so far
- Of Ireland’s two title wins in this competition, they achieved their only ever Grand Slam in 2013
- Emily Scarratt overtook team mate Katy Daley-Mclean as the Red Roses’ all-time top scorer against Scotland and now sits on 539 points, two ahead of Daley-Mclean
- England have won 17 games in a row on home soil
TEAMS
England
15. Sarah McKenna, 14. Abby Dow, 13. Emily Scarratt, 12. Amber Reed, 11. Jess Breach, 10. Katy Daly-McLean, 9. Leanne Riley; 1. Vickii Cornborough, 2. Lark Davies, 3. Sarah Bern, 4. Poppy Cleall, 5. Zoe Aldcroft, 6. Sarah Beckett, 7. Vicky Fleetwood, 8. Sarah Hunter (C)
Finishers
16. Amy Cokayne, 17. Detysha Harper, 18. Shaunagh Brown, 19. Harriet Millar-Mills, 20. Amelia Harper, 21. Natasha Hunt, 22. Zoe Harrison, 23. Emily Scott.
Ireland
15. Eimear Considine, 14. Lauren Delany, 13. Sene Naoupu, 12. Katie Fitzhenry, 11. Aoife Doyle, 10. Claire Keohane, 9. Kathryn Dane; 1. Lindsay Peat, 2. Cliodhna Moloney, 3. Linda Djougang, 4. Aoife McDermott, 5. Judy Bobbett, 6. Ciara Griffin (C), 7. Edel McMahon, 8. Anna Caplice.
Replacements
16. Victoria Dabanovich O’Mahony, 17. Laura Feely. 18. Leah Lyons, 19. Ciara Cooney, 20. Dorothy Wall, 21. Nicole Cronin, 22. Larissa Muldoon, 23. Hannah Tyrrell.
