Women's Rugby World Cup 2010

England 27 v 0  Ireland

England Red Roses got off to a great start in their campaign to win the win the Women's Rugby World Cup 2010.  Performing in front of a sell out crowd, they ran in 4 tries and picked up an important bonus point.

All players seemed a little nervy at the start but that is to be expected as they had been waiting and planning for this game for four years.  The back row were key to England's performance and the game was very physical at times with a number of England players sporting bruised faces.   The Irish put up a strong defence but could not stop England overall and were unable to cross the try line, giving England a clean sheet in defence.  

Rachael Burford tries to evade the tackle of Joanne Sullivan in England's 27-0 defeat of Ireland in their opening match of Women's Rugby World Cup 2010. Photo: rugbymatters.net.

Early in the first half Fiona Pocock scored the first try in the left hand corner and  Katy McLean converted.  England looked to have settled but they started forcing the game a bit and giving penalties away.

Maggie Alphonsi who was correctly name Women of the Match was outstanding.  She put in massive hits and looked so strong.  She almost got a try with a super run through a gap in midfield and was taken down by three Irish defenders just short of the line.

Maggie Alphonsi was a constant menace to Ireland's defence and scored a late try to secure a bonus point for England as they ran out 27-0 winners. Photo: rugbymatters.net.

Katherine Merchant scored the next try in the corner but Katy was unable to convert.  
Half Time 12-0 

England faced a fired up Ireland for the second half and struggled at times to hold them pushing forward into the wind. However, practice and training came into being and England hung in, were patient then Amy Turner took a quick tap penalty and went over the line to give a 17-0 lead. 

Katy McLean added a second penalty and then Maggie  Alphonsi's try clinched the bonus point.

Final Score 27-0

England flanker, Maggie Alphonsi: "It was a brilliant result; today was a tough day. We play Ireland every Six Nations, we know what they are going to produce and we know them inside out, so we didn't let our fans down.   "We knew it was going to be a tough game and it was a great game to watch. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and pleased for our team that we came out with a win, which was what we wanted, and the bonus point. So an overall good day. "For us we need to look at what things we need to improve on as a team, because we won but obviously need to work on a few things. Our next game is Kazakhstan and we need to go out and produce."

England captain Catherine Spencer: "The first job was to get the win but it was definitely a relief when 'Maggie the Machine' popped up in the right place at the right time to get that fourth try. The win was first and foremost but, to get the bonus when we know we've more to come, was important.  "It was extremely important to hold them out at the start of the second half. They're big psychological moments, the Irish threw everything at us and I'm so proud of the girls for sticking at it."

England

15 Danielle Waterman (Worcester), 14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester), 13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), 12 Rachael Burford ( Richmond), 11Fiona Pocock (Richmond), 10 Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 9 Amy Turner (Richmond), 1 Rochelle Clark (Team Northumbria), 2 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3 Sophie Hemming (Bristol), 4 Becky Essex (Richmond), 5 Jo McGilchrist (Wasps), 6 Heather Fisher (Worcester), 7 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), 8 Catherine Spencer (Bristol). Replacements: 16 Emma Crocker (Richmond), 17 Claire Purdy (Wasps), 18 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 19 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), 20 La Toya Mason (Wasps), 21 Alice Richardson(Richmond), 22 Charlotte Barras (Saracens)

Tries: Pocock, Merchant, Turner, Alphonsi

Conversions: McLean (2)

Penalties: McLean

Drop Goals:

Substitutions: Richardson for Burford, Purdy for Hemming, Taylor for Essex, Hunter for Fisher (all 61), Turner for Mason (72), Barras for Merchant, Croker for Garnett.

Ireland

15 Niamh Briggs, 14 Amy Davis, 13 Jo O'Sullivan, 12 Lynne Cantwell, 11 Nora Stapleton, 10 Helen Brosnan, 9 Tania Rosser, 1 Fiona Coghlan (C), 2 Gillian Bourke, 3 Louise Austin, 4 Kate O'Loughlin, 5 Marie Louise Reilly, 6 Orla Brennan, 7 Claire Molloy, 8 Joy Neville. Replacements: 16 Yvonne Nolan, 17 Laura Guest, 18 Carol Staunton, 19 Sinead Ryan, 20 Louise Beamish, 21 Shannon Houston, 22 Mairead Kelly.

Tries:

Conversions:

Penalties:

Drop Goals:

Referee: Sarah Corrigan

Assistant Referees: Kerstin Ljungdahl & Barbara Guastini

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