In Round 4 of the TikTok Women’s Six Nations England secured a strong win over the Irish side. The English win means they will go on to fight for the Grand Slam against France in Round 5.
However Ireland’s defence against the top of the table Red Roses meant that the first half finished at just 10-0, despite the loss of some of Ireland’s key players who are attending the Sevens Series tournament in Canada.
The game, which took place in Welford Road saw Greg McWilliams side lineout with a host of new players to the Championship including a starting jersey for 24-year-old Molly Scuffil-McCabe at full back.
Sene Naoupu also started the game, having been brought into the squad following the loss of the Sevens players.
Not given a hope by anyone. This @IrishRugby side have really showed that true Irish fighting spirit. This English side are no joke but we have continued to defend for our lives and cause England to make uncharacteristic mistakes. #ENGIRE
HT Score: ENG 10-0 IRE@OpelIreland— Her Sport (@HerSportDotIE) April 24, 2022
Speaking ahead of the game journalist Jessica Hayden told HerSport that England would be looking to dominate in the scrum, “It’s something England are particularly strong at…its one of their fortes and what makes them one of the best teams in the world,” Hayden said on the HerSport Six Nations Show.
However Ireland won a string of penalties at the scrum in the first half and got five turnovers, two of which came from Neve Jones. A try from Lark Davies and Abbie Ward marked the only two successful tries in the first half for the home team.
England brought the game back inside Ireland’s 22’ in the second half, helped by a yellow card against Dorothy Wall. Sene Naoupu was given a red card for a head clash against Emily Scarratt, which left the Ireland side covering more ground with an already tired defence.
The win against Ireland marks England's 22nd consecutive win in a test match, whereas Ireland have won just one of their games in this Six Nations so far. The status on professionalism remains different between the two teams where England have been fully professional since January 2019 and Ireland remain amateur.
“They have the advantage of strength and conditioning and the professional structure...as well as the professional structure in their premier 15’s" Hayden said on the HerSport Six Nations Show.
Italy became the latest country to offer professional contracts to their women's rugby team with the announcement of 25 contracts just last week. The introduction of professional contracts gives players more time to recover, train & improve their game of rugby, according to former England international player, Rochelle Clarke.
"Whilst I’m happy England won, it was never an even playing field” said Clarke in a tweet, “ Irish Rugby women deserve the right to compete on an even playing field in the Women's Six Nations. Women playing an international then straight back to work is ridiculous”.
Aoife McDermott shared a tweet showing she was back to work just 24 hours after the game against England. The standard of English rugby after becoming the first in the world to make their women's team professional has caused international dialogue surrounding professional contracts for women's rugby, with a spokesperson for the IRFU stating that they will look at having contracts in place for Ireland's team by the 2023 Six Nations.
Back to it! 😴😴😴 pic.twitter.com/j3kv5oRrka
— Aoife McDermott (@AoifeMc15) April 25, 2022
Ireland will play Scotland in Round 5 of the Six Nations on April 30th at 8pm. Scotland remain bottom of the table after their loss against Italy last weekend.
The Championship decider of the Six Nations will take place between France and England at 14:15pm. Both teams remain undefeated and will be battling it out for the title, as well as the Grand Slam.
Catch the preview for the matches on the HerSport Six Nations Show brought to you by Opel. Out Thursday at 10am.
The Her Sport Six Nations Show is brought to you by Opel. Follow all the 2022 Six Nations action throughout the Championships with expert analysis, previews, interviews and a lot of laughs! Opel are the exclusive car partner of the IRFU.
