Ireland Women Fall Short

In a closely fought affair in Twickenham the Ireland Women were just edged out by a two-try England Women’s side that recorded a 13-9 victory on Saturday night.

Emma Croker's 22nd-minute try from a classic catch and drive had England 8-6 ahead at half-time, with captain Niamh Briggs booting two penalties for Ireland.

Briggs' third successful penalty edged the visitors in front for the first and only time, but Abbie Scott burst through from a 63rd minute ruck for the decisive score of a closely-fought game.

Poor decision-making let Ireland down at crucial stages and England managed to contain them in their own half for the closing stages of the game, loosening the defending champions' grip on the trophy in the process.

Next up for the Ireland Women is Italy on Sunday March 13th at Donnybrook, ko 1pm.

Ireland Women scorers: Pens – Niamh Briggs 3.

Ireland Women: Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster) (capt); Elise O'Byrne White (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Aine Donnelly (Cill Dara/Leinster), Sene Naoupu (Galwegians/Connacht), Mairead Coyne (Galwegians/Connacht); Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Larissa Muldoon (Skewen); Ruth O'Reilly (Galwegians/Connacht), Cliodhna Moloney (Railway Union/Leinster), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Ciara Griffin (Tralee/Munster), Claire Molloy (Bristol), Paula Fitzpatrick (Toulouse).

Replacements used: Nikki Caughey (Railway Union/Ulster) for Stapleton (55 mins), Heather O'Brien (Toulouse) for Griffin (64), Jackie Shiels (Richmond) for Briggs (73), Ciara Cooney (Railway Union/Leinster) for Reilly (79).

Not used: Zoe Grattage (Tralee/Munster), Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster), Fiona Reidy (UL Bohemians/Munster), Mary Healy (Galwegians/Connacht).