Red Roses triumph over Ireland in Cork
The Red Roses continued their unbeaten run after a 0-48 win over Ireland in round four of the TikTok Women's Six Nations.
Simon Middleton’s charges scored eight tries at Musgrave Park in Cork, and have now won their last 23 games in the competition, the longest run by any team in the Championship. They will face France next week at Twickenham Stadium on 29 April, where a Grand Slam will be on the line.
A rapid start to the match saw Sadia Kabeya bust through the Irish defence and combine with the returning Natasha Hunt, who was brought down metres short of the try line. But a few phases later England had spread the ball from touchline to touchline, and found Gloucester-Hartpury's Sarah Beckett out wide - the second row gladly dived over to claim the opening score just two minutes into the Test.
England's second was created by fly-half Holly Aitchison, who whipped a sublime pass beyond the defending Lauren Delaney and Molly Scuffil-McCabe, into the onrushing Tatyana Heard, who cantered in from 15 metres. Moments later, on the 21-minute mark, Ellie Kildunne was the benefactor of the Red Roses' third - the full back calmly walking in on the right flank, as England opened up a 15-point lead.
Marlie Packer barrelled over for her 38th Test score as half hour approached - sealing the bonus-point - but shortly after she was forced to leave the field due to injury, along with prop Hannah Botterman. The captain was replaced by Morwenna Talling, and she scored with her first touch of the ball, off the back of a five-metre lineout rolling maul. Lagi Tuima added the extras to make it 0-27 at the break.
The half time stats showed a one-sided affair: England with more possession (75%) making 331 more metres, 70 more carries, beating 21 more defenders and forcing their opponents to make 101 tackles.
England were forced to defend for large parts at the resumption, the hosts showing glimpses of promise, but little accuracy as they were denied by stern defence. Middleton unloaded his bench on 50 minutes which saw Amber Reed promoted to captain, and a return for Helena Rowland - both scored the Red Roses' next points.
Reed powered through the tackle of Ireland fly-half Dannah O'Brien to claim England's sixth try, and Rowland converted it, to make it 0-34. With three minutes left in the match Alex Matthews crossed twice, her first was a short line off Kabeya that saw her to go under the posts, and the second off the back of a dominant scrum. Both were converted by Rowland to confirm the 0-48 victory.
The win also confirmed England's qualification into tier 1 of World Rugby's inaugural WXV competition. The top three teams in the TikTok Women’s Six Nations will be joined in WXV 1 by teams finishing in the top three of the World Rugby Pacific Four Series 2023, which features Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA.
Teams
Red Roses
15. Ellie Kildunne, 14. Abby Dow, 13. Lagi Tuima, 12. Tatyana Heard, 11. Claudia MacDonald, 10. Holly Aitchison, 9. Natasha Hunt, 1. Hannah Botterman, 2. Connie Powell, 3. Maud Muir, 4. Zoe Aldcroft (VC), 5. Sarah Beckett, 6. Sadia Kabeya, 7. Marlie Packer (C), 8. Alex Matthews.
Finishers
16. Lark Davies, 17. Mackenzie Carson, 18. Sarah Bern, 19. Delaney Burns, 20. Morwenna Talling, 21. Lucy Packer, 22. Amber Reed, 23. Helena Rowland.
Ireland
15. Lauren Delaney, 14. Aoife Doyle, 13. Aoife Dalton, 12. Vicky Irwin, 11. Natasja Behan, 10. Dannah O'Brien, 9. Molly Scuffil-McCabe, 1. Linda Djougang, 2. Neve Jones, 3. Christy Haney, 4. Nichola Fryday (C), 5. Sam Monaghan, 6. Brittany Hogan, 7. Grace Moore, 8. Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird.
Replacements
16. Clara Nielson, 17. Sadbh McGrath, 18. Kathryn Buggy, 19. Hannah O'Connor, 20. Jo Brown, 21. Nicole Cronin, 22. Anna McGann, 23. Meabh Deely.
Fixtures & Results
Ireland 0 - 48 Red Roses
29 April - Red Roses v France
