England’s Amy Cokayne tries to fend off Ireland’s Sophie Spence during the Autumn International match at The Stoop in Twickenham. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA
The highlights reel will be short and sweet but do not doubt the significance of England’s hard-fought victory over Ireland, the current Six Nations holders, brought about by Izzy Noel-Smith’s late pushover try.
Ireland’s full-back Niamh Briggs, who kicked the winning points when these sides met in the Six Nations earlier this year, had levelled the scores at 3-3 with five minutes to go but England’s response was emphatic – in the shadows of Twickenham their male counterparts could learn a thing or two.
Since lifting the World Cup in 2014 England have invested in youth – partly enforced with a host of retirements but also because the sevens squad, with the Rio 2016 Olympics looming, takes priority. Fourth place in the Six Nations was forgivable but, with Simon Middleton and Scott Bemand taking charge soon after, progress in the coming spring is needed and so victory here takes on extra significance, even more so considering the 11-0 defeat in France seven days earlier.
“It was never going to be a high-scoring game,” said Bemand, England’s lead coach. “In the first half I think we were guilty of trying to play too much rugby.
“We’re in a World Cup cycle so the journey is to improve match on match. I thought the Irish were excellent today. They had the same weather conditions as us, we had to spend some time on our line, we were pegged back to 3-3 but it’s moments like that which will build a squad capable of winning a World Cup.”
Inevitably the rain led to a flurry of early knock-ons. England, with the flanker Marlie Packer prominent, enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges and some shrewd kicking from the fly-half Emily Scott kept Ireland pinned inside their own 22.
A clever chip from Scott almost yielded the first try but Sarah McKenna was unable to get downward pressure in the left corner. England, however, were playing advantage and were first on the board when Lauren Cattell was on target from in front of the posts.
The handling errors continued but Packer did not mind. The outstanding performer in the first half made another thumping carry towards the end of the first half but again Ireland forced the turnover. The visitors, steadily improving, continued to do so after the break. Briggs pushed a penalty wide but Ireland’s tails were up. Whereas in the first half the ball went to ground, now it stuck and their ascendancy was underlined when England’s hooker, Emma Croker, was sent to the sin-bin.
When push came to shove, though, England raised themselves. Sparked by an excellent Sarah Hunter turnover, the hosts repelled the Irish wave and while Briggs finally found her range, the forwards barged Noel-Smith over on the right to gain victory.
“It was very frustrating but they are lessons we have to learn. It’s still really positive for us. We put the world champions under pressure,” said Briggs. “Having that game last week really helped England to get everything together. It was always going to be really tough for us, we’ve never won over here but I think the girls will come away with massive confidence.”
