Womens six nations: Ireland v England - 17th March, 8pm, Donnybrook - Live on RTE2

sullivlo

It's fair to say that England will go into tomorrows game favourites, having enjoyed a successful campaign to date. After a stuttering start against France (13 nil down at halftime), they have enjoyed comprehensive victories against Wales (63-0) and Scotland (64-0), and a 29-15 victory against Italy (which flattered the visitors - England ended the game with 13 players).

Ireland, on the other hand, have been slow to start. After a decidedly disappointing autumn series which they lost all three games, it was hoped that they would learn from their mistakes, however they were lucky to beat Scotland (a last minute Jenny Murphy try). They appeared to be back on track against the Italians, securing the bonus point (thanks to a fab crossfield kick from Stapleton to Tyrrell), keeping the hosts to just 3 points, followed up by a gritty win against a dominant French team. Against the Welsh the team struggled again, however it was a gutsy performance from an understandably emotional Welsh team. Ireland won out in the end, setting up a Grand Slam decider under lights in Donnybrook.

The last time the teams met, England were victorious, narrowly beating Ireland 12-10. For both sides, it was an opportunity to blood new players. Ireland dominated the possession. Ireland have, arguably, one of the strongest pack in the competition, however the backrow of Fitzpatrick, Molloy and Griffin will be challenged by Packer and Hunter. The scrum will be interesting - England had the upper hand the last time the sides met, but Ireland have improved on their scrum. Weather will play a factor - lineout has been successful for both teams but too much wind will lead to a predictable throw to 2 and maul.

Irelands back line is more settled than previously - Naoupu and Murphy seem to have formed a good partnership, with the latter providing a great strike-option close range. Miller and Tyrrell on the wings have some wheels between them, but their hands will be full if Scarrett is given time on the ball.

Kim Flood faces a big test here - filling in for the irreplaceable Niamh Briggs. The settled backline will help her out here though.

Ireland ground out the win against a decent French team in Donnybrook. I think this has the makings of a cracking game.

Head says England. Heart says Ireland.

Tickets available on ticketmaster. Kickoff 8pm Donnybrook. Live on RTE2.

Teams:

V

Ireland

|

France

01: Lindsay Peat|01: Rochelle Clark
02: Leah Lyons|02: Amy Cokanye
03: Ailis Egan|03: Justine Lucas
04: Sophie Spence|04: Tamara Taylor
05: Marie Louise Reilly|05: Harriet Millar-Mills
06: Ciara Griffin|06: Alexandra Matthews
07: Claire Molloy|07: Marlie Packer
08: Paula Fitzpatrick (c)|08: Sarah Hunter (c)
|
09: Larissa Muldoon|09: La Toya Mason
10: Nora Stapleton|10: Emily Scott
11: Ali Miller|11: Kay Wilson
12: Sene Naoupu|12: Amber Reed
13: Jenny Murphy|13: Emily Scarratt
14: Hannah Tyrrell|14: Amy Wilson-Hardy
15: Kim Flood|15: Danielle Waterman
|
16: Ciara O'Connor |16: Vicky Fleetwood
17: Ilse Van Staden|17: Vickii Cornborough
18: Ruth O'Reilly |18: Laura Keates
19: Ciara Cooney|19: Poppy Cleal
20: Nicola Fryday|20: Izzy Noel-Smith
21: Mary Healy|21: Bianca Blackburn
22: Nikki Caughey|22: Rachael Burford
23: Mairead Coyne|23: Lydia Thompson

irishbucsfan

This is a huge huge ask. But I can't wait.

sullivlo

irishbucsfan wrote: »

This is a huge huge ask. But I can't wait.

Huge ask indeed, but the squad seem up for it!

Anyone else going to the games?

irishbucsfan

sullivlo wrote: »

Huge ask indeed, but the squad seem up for it!

Anyone else going to the games?

Yes absolutely, wouldn't miss it!

connemara man

Tickets for the seated area for the 2 matches!

Losty Dublin

The Irish pack were well able for the monstrous French pack; I can't see the Roses being any more of a handful. Ireland to sneak it by a slim 4 points.

Zzippy

Great write up. Come on Ireland!

sullivlo

Losty Dublin wrote: »

The Irish pack were well able for the monstrous French pack; I can't see the Roses being any more of a handful. Ireland to sneak it by a slim 4 points.

I agree.

Can't wait. Hope this rain eases off.

vienne86

Really looking forward to this! Very hard to see beyond a win for England, but Ireland have pulled some results out of the fire this season, so might sneak it.....and I'd LOVE that!

Great write up - thanks sullivo.

sullivlo

Kielys is full of women waiting to go to the game. Too cold and windy to go in yet. Soon. Soon.

Nervously excited.

Former Former

sullivlo wrote: »

Kielys is full of women waiting to go to the game.

I'm on the way. Stall them!

Tombo2001

Can you buy tickets at the ground for the game and for covered seats....thinking of bringing the kids.

The Lost Sheep

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Can you buy tickets at the ground for the game and for covered seats....thinking of bringing the kids.

looking at crowd for 20s should be no issue at al getting seats for the stand and seats. Plenty of room

sullivlo

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

looking at crowd for 20s should be no issue at al getting seats for the stand and seats. Plenty of room

Woman beside me in the pub just got a ticket. No stand seats left, only terrace. And very few.

Ectoplasm

C'mon Ireland!!! Need their best performance of the championship so far but hoping they can bring it

The Lost Sheep

Have been lucky enough to have been involved in games involving 3/4 of the ladies playing tonight. best of luck!!!!

Will be very tough but weather conditions will be huge and if we can be clinical as possible we should win

Melodeon

Was that rendition of GSTQ part of the softening-up process???

vienne86

Three anthems.....in this weather.....they'll be freezing before they even start!

Ectoplasm

Very impressive Irish scrum

Bridge93

Could be a long first half into that weather

Kiwi_knock

England putting on a lot of pressure, Ireland need to control possession for the next while.

Synode

Stapletons kicking has been atrocious so far

MJohnston

Irish pack are dominant here.

Ectoplasm

Love a score before half time

MJohnston

Shame Ireland couldn't put points on the board for all that dominance. Great half though.

jprender

Great effort in the first half, England delighted to hear the half time whistle.

All to play for now, need to push the scoreboard along with every chance we get.

BBDBB

Unlucky not to be at least level at the half

moleyv

Edge of the seat stuff for the last 20 mins. Irish OH could have been a bit more conservative with a couple of kicks but hopefully the wind will be with us second half.

Pity no points on the board but hope they keep the momentum going.

MJohnston

I'm not too familiar with the team, but I presume they weren't taking 3 points due to the weather or a lack of a decent kicker?

ednwireland

great game and no aldi kids

BorneTobyWilde

What does Irelands number 2 do other than try in vain to keep up with play.

How exactly is she an athlete in that condition .

Guy:Incognito

Murphy has to be giving that out wide. Poor to take it in when she had the overlap.

MJohnston

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Murphy has to be giving that out wide. Poor to take it in when she had the overlap.

Butchered that.

secondrowgal

Claire Molloy out of it by the looks of it.

Kiwi_knock

Poor mistakes at key moments really costing Ireland.

jprender

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

Poor mistakes at key moments really costing Ireland.

Yeah fullback needed to launch that ball as far as she could.
Crazy to take into contact there

Kiwi_knock

Really don't deserve to be two tries down.

sullivlo

Fab atmosphere here

jprender

Ireland look tired, noticeable drop in intensity.

Tigerandahalf

Funny how teams across the ages and gender play the same style.

You would not mistake this England for a NZ or Australia ladies side.

I think Ire should have taken their penalties when they got the opportunity.

Nora Stapleton at 10 just can't pass the ball. No chance for her outside backs.

Great atmosphere there though and good to see the ladies game on prime time tv.

Kiwi_knock

Hard to come back from here.

MJohnston

It was a great game, but seems like a done deal at this point for England.

moleyv

We need something very soon. Will be tough with 14...

Ectoplasm

Well that's that

Kiwi_knock

Ah definitely don't deserve this scoreline.

jprender

Ah, Stapleton has had a nightmare of a game.

Need much better from a 10 in a GS decider.

This could become really ugly now.

MJohnston

RTE Player is apparently a good couple of minutes behind the live game, annoying.

Everdene

EMF2010 wrote: »

Well that's that

Indeed. Some pace on Cokayne

The Lost Sheep

MJohnston wrote: »

RTE Player is apparently a good couple of minutes behind the live game, annoying.

yep. ive been reading scores listed here about 1/2 minutes before they're actually scored...

Kiwi_knock

Yes!!! Well deserved for the effort put into the match

MJohnston

BorneTobyWilde wrote: »

What does Irelands number 2 do other than try in vain to keep up with play.

How exactly is she an athlete in that condition .

You were saying :rolleyes: