Well thank you so much for joining me for this record-breaking match!
The first half was well fought by Ireland but in the end England proved too much. Next week we will have the dramatic finale between France and England on Super Saturday.
But for now if you want to re-live any action or have a recap of the match, read Daniel Gallan’s report:
Emily Scarratt celebrated her 100th cap in style after the match by letting Hannah Botterman and Marlie Packer parade her on their shoulders.
She didn’t look too sure to begin with but a big win like this afternoon on your 100th cap has to be celebrated in style.
*Of course* @EmilyScarratt trusts her team-mates to safely carry her on their shoulders to celebrate her 100th cap... #TikTokW6N | #ENGvIRE | @EnglandRugby pic.twitter.com/3aWGoHgeJd
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) April 24, 2022
How good was Neve Jones today? In fact how good has Neve Jones been all tournament?
She and Sam Monaghan, who was injured for today’s match, have been Ireland’s standout players. Jones hasn’t missed a tackle and she put in huge hits against England.
A fabulous element to this tournament, aside from the rugby, is the records being broken.
Another attendance record for a women’s rugby game in England was broken in Leicester today with records also smashed in Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Women’s rugby is taking centre stage and moving in the right direction. It’s so great to see!
Victory in front of another record crowd 😊
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) April 24, 2022
Thank you for the incredible support in Leicester today and to all of those who watched on TV 👏 pic.twitter.com/fZwWzuOcTc
England’s monstrous second half sees the team closing in on 50 tries for this tournament alone.
Across the four matches they have played so far they have scored 258 points. It’s an unbelievable statistic and shows just how dominant they have been over every single team.
They haven’t had ever decision go their way or had perfect performances but they always manage to get the result. What a match France v England will be next week!
With that impressive win over Ireland England have won the triple crown!
They defeated Scotland in the opening round, managed to beat Wales in round three and an 11-try display has seen them dispatch of Ireland.
It is another clinical tournament for the Red Roses. But they have exposed some weaknesses at the set-piece and individual errors to work on ahead of the World Cup.
A worry for England is the amount of injuries the team seem to have suffered in their match against Ireland.
Captain Sarah Hunter went off injured, Jess Breach and Emily Scarratt had to have HIA’s and it’s being reported Poppy Cleall is now on crutches at Welford Road with her injury.
The Red Roses may have to travel to France without some of their biggest players.
A word does need to be said about Ireland’s impressive first half. They managed to hold England to 10-0 in front of a record home crowd and it led many of us to ask could they get back into this?
But a yellow card for Wall and a red card for Naoupu, along with England hitting their stride, brushed Ireland out of the way.
The Red Roses will take on France next week in not only the title decider but a Grand Slam decider. Both England and France have bagged four bonus point victories so far.
Player of the Match Marlie Packer told the BBC: “Ireland have a great defence. WE played a lot of rugby in their half. We had a chat at half-time about what we wanted and it was two tries for that bonus point
“We are well positioned, the French crowd is going to be massive. It’s a final at the end of the day and we will put everything into it to make sure we come out on top.”
Updated
Full-time: England 69-0 Ireland
Well, England keep their Grand Slam and title defence hopes alive with another dominant performance.
They didn’t have it all their own way but the Red Roses have their 22nd win in a row.
79 min: The commentators on the BBC coverage have lamented how the scoreline is tough for Ireland.
It really isn’t representative of the effort the visitors have put in. they held England to 10-0 at half-time but a yellow and red card have completely changed the game.
Ireland do have the scrum on halfway here as Hunt knocks on. Scarratt is back on after passing her HIA.
TRY! England 69-0 Ireland (Thompson, 76)
A driving maul is dealt with by Ireland but England whip the ball out wide and Thompson dots down.
Great try!
Harrison takes the kick once again and slots it.
Updated
75 min: P Cleall has gone off injured, she is slightly limping. When I known who is playing at No 8 I’ll let you know as Hunter has already gone off injured.
There’s an England line-out as they look to make the most of the last few minutes. But there’s a knock on and Ireland have a scrum! A little bit messy this match.
Marlie Packer is named Player of the Match.
TRY! England 62-0 Ireland (Kildunne, 72)
Wow, how has she done that?
Most were screaming at Kildunne to pass the ball but she backs herself and she dots down.
Scarratt isn’t yet back on the pitch and so Harrison takes it and misses it.
Updated
72 min: Ireland do well at scrum time with O’Dwyer winning a penalty. The visitors taking the small wins now in light of the circumstances.
The line-out for Ireland is too long and Hunt runs away with it. Ireland concede a breakdown penalty and it’s an England scrum.
70 min: I think there has been a mixed message from the officials as the Naoupu tackle didn’t look too different from the high tackle Wall was given a yellow for.
But now they have the player advantage this scoreline is going to go up and up.
However, Galligan knocks it on! Ireland scrum.
CONVERSION! England 57-0 Ireland (Harrison, 68)
I’ve had to separate this out with that TMO check but Harrison gets the kick with Scarratt off for a HIA.
RED CARD! England 55-0 Ireland (Naoupu, 67)
Naoupu tackles upright and her head smashes into Scarratt with the centurion hitting the deck.
The ref says there’s more force than Wall’s tackle and so Ireland will be down to 14.
Scarratt is going off for a HIA and Aitchison is back on for her.
Updated
TRY! England 55-0 Ireland (Kildunne, 67)
Kildunne has done a superb solo effort here!
The TMO is checking an earlier head clash, there may be another card here for Ireland.
Updated
66 min: England are relentless and are searching for even more. Every player is winning metres but Doyle reads play well to intercept!
Ireland deserve points in this match, especially after that great defensive first half, but they won’t have it here as Aldcroft turns the ball over.
TRY! England 50-0 Ireland (P Cleall, 64)
A dominant scrum sees P Cleall power over!
This is just complete decimation by the hosts now. Scarratt adds the extras.
Updated
63 min: It wasn’t Jones down, it was Considine and she is being stretchered off here, so sad. Hopefully isn’t as bad as it looks.
63 min: Moore has done unbelievably well to rip the ball from Botterman. It looked like England were about to score again but she stopped the Saracens star.
There’s a break in play as a play, I think Jones, is down injured, I’m hoping she will be okay!
63 min: England are on the charge once again as they look to exploit their dominance.
They taste blood and they want more!
TRY! England 43-0 Ireland (Botterman, 60)
Another driving maul, another try.
This time it’s Botterman! Scarratt converts as the dominance from England seeps into this match.
Updated
60 min: There are some huge hits coming in from Ireland as England look to attack again. Jones, who hasn’t missed a tackle in the Six Nations so far, in particular has been incredible!
There’s been another England knock-on and before the scrum Infante comes off for Hunt. The Red Roses again decimate the Ireland scrum, they shove them back a good five metres and win the penalty.
Also confirmation of an attendance record as 15,836 supporters are at Welford Road!
58 min: England make more changes after their sixth try as Ward is off for Galligan.
The hosts then knock on through Infante, this is far from a perfect England performance but they have found the fluidity in their attack they didn’t have in the first half.
Red Roses scrum dominates again and they kick away with Ireland now building from deep.
TRY! England 36-0 Ireland (P Cleall, 55)
England charge for the line in a driving maul and this time it’s P Cleall who dots down.
The Red Roses are a different team this half. Scarratt slots the kick and Wall comes back onto the pitch.
Updated
53 min: What a kick from Scarratt who sends it over 50m and forces the Irish back three to turn to collect.
Breen puts her boot to ball and then England run through the phases.
TRY! England 29-0 Ireland (Thompson, 50)
That was special, the ball runs through the hands from a line-out.
It ends with Thompson who still has a lot to do to run in to score.
England finding their gears but Scarratt misses the kick.
Updated
49 min: Ireland batter on the England door, Fryday has been fantastic and Considine does well to make a break. But it ends in an England penalty.
Hunter takes a knock and she is off for P Cleall.
Rowland hasn’t been fed much ball but when she does she makes so many metres. Unfortunately for the Loughborough Lightning star he pass to Kildunne doesn’t connect.
47 min: England make their first changes. Cornborough, Bern and Davies are off for Botterman, Muir and Cokayne.
England collect the restart through Hunter but a kick for territory sees Ireland hunt for their first points.
TRY! England 24-0 Ireland (Davies, 44')
Harrison kicks to corner and the driving maul strikes again!
Davies goes over for their bonus point!
England will stride away here as Scarratt gets the conversion.
Updated
YELLOW CARD! England 17-0 Ireland (Wall, 44')
Wall is sent off for ten minutes, it’s not a red.
Breach is off for a HIA.
44 min: England knock-on and there is a break in play as Breach receives treatment.
The ref is looking at the hit the winger took. There’s head on head contact from Wall and Breach, could there be a red card?
44 min: What a start to the half for England but they did the same in the first half and then dropped off.
But the Red Roses aren’t holding back here as the hosts immediately win a penalty. Harrison kicks to the corner as England look for their bonus point try.
Ireland make their first change as O’Dwyer is on for Haney.
TRY! England 17-0 Ireland (Packer, 41)
England are patient again in their attack and they are doing the simple skills.
But then the ball pops to Packer who just keeps running! What a score.
Scarratt gets the conversion.
Updated
Back underway!
England’s bench could be the difference in this second half but Ireland will be hoping for more of the same.
Welford Road is bouncing as this second 40 begins.
Ireland are making me eat my words, I said ahead of kick-off it would be a huge score line for England. But they have turned up here. It’s the most England have been tested in the Six Nations.
Red Roses fans will be frustrated, as their team are, but this is exactly what this tournament needs. What a match so far!
Half-time: England 10-0 Ireland
That half ends with another England wasted opportunity.
Ireland have done incredibly well and the visitors are frustrating the Red Roses who can’t get the fluidity into their attack.
Sarah Bern and Lark Davies’ tries the difference so far but if Ireland keep this up they could be on for a huge upset.
39 min: Wow! That is incredible, what a tackle. Scuffil-McCabe runs across and tackles Thompson out of play just as she is about to score.
Absolutely stunning rugby.
Updated
37 min: Aldcroft gets a hand to the Irish line-out which gives the visitors the advantage.
That is over as they kick away though which means Breach is free to run.
England are being patient and going through the phases. It pays off with Harrison finding a pocket of space but a few phases later Bern is off feet and so they cough up possession.
This is the most the Red Roses have been tested in this tournament.
34 min: Infante did hit a player in the face which is why Jones came in.
There isn’t a card as the ref says there isn’t force in it. Infante’s actions sees the penalty reverse and so the ball is Ireland’s.
34 min: Frustratingly for Ireland England turn over the ball. Bern gets over the gainline (when doesn’t she?!) and England are on the charge.
England get the advantage as an Ireland player goes off feet. The hosts went quickly through Infante but the ref pulls it back. Jones came in on Infante and the referee will look at this. Will there be a card?
Fryday mentioned a punch on the ref mic, they are checking this now.
33 min: Surely there has to be a card coming out the pocket soon? There are an insane amount of penalties coming from both teams, this time from Packer.
The visitors’ line-out is starting to find its feet and it sets up another attacking spell for Ireland.
31 min: Claffey’s first action sees her knock on and so England have a scrum close to their try line.
And the Red Roses get a penalty and they take it quickly! They are hunting for their third try of the match.
But now England knock on and so we will have an Ireland scrum! The hosts have so many errors.
29 min: This time the driving maul does charge for the line but Ireland hold up the ball over the line! Cracking defence!
Ireland kick a goal line drop out, England collect and look to go again. Aldcroft almost gets away but superb Ireland defence again win a penalty.
England just cannot get a foot into this game, Ireland pulling the strings.
Sadly Cronin has had to come off with a back injury and Claffey comes on.
27 min: Ireland are frustrating England a lot and all they need is points on the board to show their good work.
Unfortunately their line-out spills and England come away with it. Phase and phase England hit Ireland and they win a penalty.
Harrison kicks upfield and we will surely see another driving maul here.
25 min: Doyle is back up, a relief as she was down for a prolonged time. She will stay on the pitch.
The Irish line-out falters again but McDermott comes away with it as the visitors look to attack again.
Cronin decides enough is enough and puts boot to ball. Rowland collects and just keeps running! But all the good work ends in a penalty for Ireland as they hold on the floor.
23 min: Ireland opt for the points but Cronin misses a simple kick. Frustrating for the visitors who had been plucking away.
Play gets back underway and England intercept the ball. But Ireland get the penalty as the hosts hold on the floor. England do not have the fluidity they are used to at the moment.
Another break in play with players receiving attention.
21 min: Ireland win a penalty as Ward infringes at the breakdown!
That has been some of the best rugby Ireland have played this tournament. Patient, determined and clinical.
There’s a break in play now as Hunter receives some medical treatment.
21 min: The driving maul marches Ireland a few metres but England do well to stall them.
Fryday wills her team forward with England ferocious at the breakdown. They are fighting for every metre but they are playing well here Ireland.
19 min: This game has been frantic since kick-off.
Handling errors, line-out mistakes and some individual brilliance has been on display.
Ireland need to be the next scorers to get a hold of this and Jones has done well to win a penalty, the team kick to the corner.
TRY! England 10-0 Ireland (Bern, 16')
This time England win a penalty at the line-out and kick to the corner.
The line-out is clean but Ireland are doing well to stall the driving maul. But Bern dots down as they trickle over.
Scarratt misses her conversion.
Updated
15 min: Bern gets over the line but she is held up but they come back to an earlier advantage.
The ref is having a word with Fryday and Ireland’s penalties are starting to clock up.
England will have a line-out and try to get their second try of the match. They need a bonus point victory here in order to top the table once again.
But it’s another overthrow! England have sorted their scrum but their line-out needs to start firing.
13 min: Another cracking scrum sees England launch another attack but it ends with a massive pass from Aitchison going over the head of Breach.
Ireland knock on in the line-out. So many errors from both sides at the moment! It’s a start, stop match. As soon as the flow starts England will pounce.
Another scrum for England and again the scrum is good!
11 min: England completely dominate this scrum and they decimate the Irish pack.
The Roses kick away, looking to find Thompson but it doesn’t come off. England had the advantage and so they kick to the corner.
But now England’s line-out falters! Ireland try to clear and Aldcroft charges down a kick but can’t collect it!
It’s been a frantic opening few stages, England making a lot of mistakes.
9 min: The Irish attack looks promising, especially through Wall.
The referee, Amber McLachlan, warns the respective captains as Jones and Packer have a scuffle on the floor. A break in play ensues afterwards before another Ireland scrum.
And the visitors win another penalty as England engage early. They decide to take it quickly instead of kicking it away and loose pass sees England collect.
The hosts were almost away but Breach knocks on. Ireland are doing well to silence England so far.
7 min: The first scrum of the match sees an Irish put in.
After a reset Ireland win the penalty. England’s set-piece hasn’t been perfect this tournament and there are some weaknesses in their performance.
The visitors clear the ball to relieve some pressure!
NO TRY! England 5-0 Ireland
It was a forward pass from Infante to Bern.
Updated
TRY! England 10-0 Ireland (Ward, 5')
Ireland’s line-out falters and England pounce.
Bern makes a great break and Ward crashes over.
I can’t keep up with all these tries!
They are checking the last pass on that, so will it stand?
TRY! England 5-0 Ireland (Davies, 2')
Davies gets on the end of that from the driving maul.
This could be an incredibly long afternoon for Ireland.
Scarratt is on the kicking duties and she misses the conversion.
Updated
2 min: The early stages has seen Ireland with the lion share of possession.
England try to counter ruck but it seems Ireland have done enough to keep it but they give away a penalty. Harrison kicks to the corner, showing England’s intent early doors.
The driving maul is rolling!
Kick-off!
Here we go, the game is underway and England will look to extend their winning run in the competition.
But can Ireland cause a huge upset? We will soon find out ...
The teams will shortly be out and the anthems will commence.
Around 15,000 fans are expected to be at Welford Road which will set an attendance record for a women’s rugby match in England.
What an occasion!
We are just 20 minutes away from kick-off!
What the the battles you’re excited to see today? Molly Scuffil-McCabe up against Helena Rowland at full-back will be interesting. The Ireland back is making her first start and Rowland is playing out of position.
And also the set-piece to see if England have perfected their line-out which has faltered in the tournament so far.
I saw a great fun fact this week on social media and I just had to share it with you.
England captain Sarah Hunter has 133 caps and is likely to break Rocky Clark’s record cap tally of 137 for the Red Roses. Her experience is breath-taking but the fun fact comes when you compare her caps to the entire Ireland team.
Hunter has 19 more caps than Ireland starting XV put together. That is madness! Thanks to Scrumqueens for that stat, it blew my mind!
Emily Scarratt will win her 100th cap against Ireland this afternoon and what a player she has been for the Red Roses.
A World Cup, a wealth of Six Nations trophies and a great role model who has inspired many to get into the sport.
England have put together some of her career highlights, check them out:
.@EmilyScarratt's finest moments for the #RedRoses 🔖
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) April 23, 2022
(there were a lot to choose from 😉)
Ireland’s coach Greg McWilliams sees the changes in players as an opportunity.
They will blood new talent and it will be interesting to see how they go, especially after their win over Italy two weeks ago.
“This is an exciting opportunity for players who are desperate for the chance to showcase their talent on the biggest stage,” McWilliams said. “As we embark on this journey as a group, we need to test the squad depth, build the playing pool and competition within the dressing room, and there is no greater challenge than facing this world-class England side in front of what will be a record crowd.
“A big challenge is ahead of us but we’ll learn a lot about ourselves and this week has been all about us and what we can bring to the occasion. We’re ready.”
England head coach Simon Middleton has shared his disappointment in Ireland missing many of their stars.
Their sevens stars are gone, including Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, and the team have had to call in replacements.
“We’re very mindful of Ireland’s player availability situation and it’s a real shame as they have gone well and shown some good passages of play,” Middleton said. “That said, we know the players who come in to their team will give everything.
“It’s a huge opportunity for them to show what they can do and we must be ready for that challenge.”
I am so excited for this record breaking match!
Please get in touch with any thoughts on the game or what you are up to on this sunny Sunday. I’m thinking about getting a cheeky takeaway but I’m undecided as to what. Are any of you having roasts?
Let me know via Twitter or email.
For now let’s hear what the coaches have had to say (about rugby, not roasts!)
Simon Middleton and Greg McWilliams have named their teams for this lunchtime kick-off.
England have made three changes to their starting XV. Leanne Infante, who wins her 50th cap, comes in at scrum-half and Holly Aitchison starts at inside centre. Zoe Aldcroft is at lock to make her first appearance of the tournament.
There is a positional change too with Helena Rowland at full-back.
England: Helena Rowland; Lydia Thompson, Emily Scarratt, Holly Aitchison, Jess Breach; Zoe Harrison, Leanne Infante; Vickii Cornborough, Lark Davies, Sarah Bern, Zoe Aldcroft, Abbie Ward, Alex Matthews, Marlie Packer, Sarah Hunter (captain).
Replacements: Amy Cokayne, Hannah Botterman, Maud Muir, Rosie Galligan, Poppy Cleall, Natasha Hunt, Amber Reed, Ellie Kildunne.
Ireland, meanwhile, have made six changes to their starting line-up. Molly Scuffil-McCabe will win her first start and she joins Aoife Doyle and Eimear Considine in the back three.
Sene Naoupu and Enya Breen make up a new centre pairing, while in the forwards Aoife McDermott starts for injured Sam Monaghan.
Ireland: Molly Scuffil-McCabe; Aoife Doyle, Sene Naoupu, Enya Breen, Eimear Considine; Nicole Cronin, Kathryn Dane; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney, Nichola Fryday (captain), Aoife McDermott, Dorothy Wall, Edel McMahon, Hannah O’Connor.
Replacements: Emma Hooban, Chloe Pearse, Katie O’Dwyer, Grace Moore, Maeve Óg O’Leary, Aoibheann Reilly, Michelle Claffey, Niamh Byrne.
Preamble
England host Ireland at Welford Road in the fourth round of the Women’s Six Nations and the Red Roses are looking to extend their winning run.
They have so far defeated Scotland, Wales and Italy and so not only will a win help their Grand Slam hopes, they can also bag the Triple Crown. England are the favourites to win the match and are likely to do so by a huge margin.
Ireland are without a huge chunk of the initial team they selected for the tournament as their sevens players have had to go back to their team. Stars like Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Beibhinn Parsons and Lucy Mulhall won’t be involved. This means Ireland’s consistency and winning momentum has potentially been scuppered.
England, meanwhile, have huge milestones in their team this week. Emily Scarratt will win her 100th cap and Leanne Infante will earn her 50th.
The team news has been announced so stay tuned for those updates ahead of kick-off at 12pm.
