| Ireland: (0) 0 |
| England: (27) 48 |
| Try: Beckett, Heard, Kildunne, Packer, Talling, Reed, Matthews 2 Cons: Tuima 1, Rowland 3 |
England stayed on course for a Grand Slam with a dominant eight-try win over Ireland.
The Red Roses scored 27 points in the first half with tries from Sarah Beckett, Tatyana Heard, Ellie Kildunne, Marlie Packer and Morwenna Talling.
Amber Reed and two from Alex Matthews were the only tries in an error-filled second half.
England face France next week in a potential Grand Slam decider.
Mixed first half for the Red Roses
England boss Simon Middleton made seven changes to the team that beat Wales, and despite some early mistakes, it was just two minutes before Beckett headed over in the corner for first attempt
Ireland frustrated England in the early stages but the Red Roses soon got their second through Heard, after a great pass from Holly Aitchison.
Second row Beckett was one of the stars of the first half and was heavily involved in the third score with a blistering run and one-handed offload, before sharp hands dispatched Kildunne.
Captain Packer then grabbed the bonus point as the gap in professionalism between the two sides shone through.
However, the goal kicking continued to be a negative for England. The Red Roses are without their top four shooters, and Lagi Tuima struggled off the tee, including missing a relatively easy Packer try conversion.
After just 32 minutes, the Red Roses had made 499 meters to Ireland’s 74, despite both Hannah Botterman and Packer being injured to add to England’s concerns ahead of a potential Grand Slam decider against France later in the week coming.
Substitute Talling scored his side’s fifth try with his first touch from a maul as England stretched clear.
More to follow
