All eyes were on Twickenham this afternoon as Ireland faced off against World Cup runners up England in Round 4 of the Guinness Six Nations.
After coming up trumps against Wales last week, there was hope in the Irish camp of putting up a strong fight against the Red Roses.
It was England who got scoring underway early on with a try from Abby Dow in the 7th minute. A tough conversion followed for Holly Aitchison who was unable to put it through the posts.
England were over once again in the 10th minute after a scintillating line break from veteran scrum half Natasha 'Mo' Hunt. Aitchison followed with the conversion
England went on an absolute spree for the next 10 minutes as Megan Jones and Zoe Aldcroft both crossed over. With 19 minutes on the clock England had their bonus point comfortably secured.
Ireland were unlucky in these opening stages. Tackles didn't stick and they allowed England to suck them in creating the space out wide for their back three to exploit the overlap.
Ireland finally got themselves on the scoreboard in the 24th minute with a penalty from the boot of Dannah O' Brien.
But England were quick to retaliate with a try from the speedy Ellie Kildunne. Aitchison followed with the conversion.
Abby Dow crashed over again in the 33rd minute only to have it disallowed by the TMO due to a knock on in the grounding.
But this only spurred Dow on further as she crossed over again in the 37th minute.
Running in at half time the scoreline stood at 38-3.
Ruthless second half
England once again came out of the blocks firing for the 2nd half as Jess Breach crossed over in the 44th minute and Sadia Kabeya in the 48th with Aitchison only making one of the conversions.
Ireland finally got themselves back on the scoreboard again in the 56th minute as they are awarded a penalty try due to a maul infringement by England sub scrum half Lucy Packer. England were also reduced to 14 in this moment as Packer is sent to the bin for this mistake.
But even with this deficit it did not stop England as Meg Jones crossed over in the 58th minute, Abby Dow (again!) in the 64th, Ellie Kildunne in the 68th, Breach in the 73rd, Kildunne (for her 3rd) in the 75th and Maddie Feaunati in the 77th.
Unfortunately there was no coming back for Ireland as they were defeated 88-10.
Bemand will have a tough task ahead of him this week as he tries to build back up the confidence the squad will have lost after today's thrashing as they set their sights on their final Guinness Women's Six Nations game against Scotland in Belfast next week.
Scotland's victory over Italy in Parma means Ireland are in fifth place. A bonus point victory over Scotland will mean third place and an automatic World Cup qualification spot is in reach, but some help will be required from Wales who play Italy.
IRELAND: Lauren Delany, Katie Corrigan, Eve Higgins, Aoife Dalton, Beibhinn Parsons; Dannah O' Brien, Aoibheann Reilly; Linda Djougang, Neve Jones, Christy Haney; Dorothy Wall, Hannah O' Connor; Aoife Wafer, Edel McMahon; Brittany Hogan.
Subs: Cliodhna Moloney (44th min), Niamh O’ Dowd (48th min), Sadhbh Mcgrath (61st min), Fiona Tuite (44th min), Shannon Ikahihifo (55th min), Molly Scuffil-Mccabe (59th min), Enya Breen (40th min), Méabh Deely (40th min)
PEN: Dannah O' Brien
ENGLAND: Ellie Kildunne, Abby Dow, Megan Jones, Tatyana Heard, Jess Breach; Holly Aitchison, Natasha Hunt; Hannah Botterman, Lark Atkin-Davies, Maud Muir; Rosie Galligan, Zoe Aldcroft; Sadia Kabeya, Marlie Packer; Alex Matthews
Subs: Connie Powell (34th min), Mackenzie Carson (44th min), Kelsey Clifford (49th min), Lizzie Hanlon (75th min), Maddie Feaunati (60th min), Lucy Packer (49th min), Emily Scarratt (62nd min), Sydney Gregson (67th min)
TRIES: Abby Dow, Natasha Hunt, Megan Jones, Zoe Aldcroft, Jess Breach, Sadia Kabeya, Maddie Feaunati
CONS: Holly Aitchison
