England beat Ireland 33-12 at Allianz Stadium in their first match since winning the World Cup - match report
Record Women's Six Nations crowd of 77,120 watch England start their bid for eighth successive title
Captain Meg Jones named player of the match as England win 34th consecutive Test match
Two Sarah Bern tries and one from Amy Cokayne gave dominant England 21-0 half-time lead
Jess Breach scored her 54th England try to clinch bonus point before Anna McGann replied
Ellie Kildunne raced clear to touch down but captain Erin King scored battling Ireland's second try
FT: England 33-12 Ireland
Don't forget that Wales v Scotland is on now, but that is it for our coverage of England v Ireland.
There were some excellent rugby from both sides today, and the good news is that there is not too long to wait for the second round of games with England taking on Scotland next Saturday at 13:30 BST while Ireland will host Italy at 17:40 later that day.
Thanks for looking in!
FT: England 33-12 Ireland
England Rugby
England head coach John Mitchell, speaking to BBC Sport: "It was a real arm-wrestle and a real clunky stop-start match. We had to deal with unexpected injuries and we have lost another international lock and possibly a great nine as well, so you might see England full-backs all as back rows by the end of the competition.
"When we stuck to the plan we were very good, we were persistent and patience."
On injured forward, Morwenna Talling: "Morwenna is very emotional, will we have to see what the scans look like but it looks serious.
"We have always been good at adapting and we will have to grow other people. This is a new team, a new start and new learning and we have learnt a lot today."
"Ireland were taken out of the match in the first-half and we let them back in, so we will learn from it.
"There is a huge amount of growth left, we are exposing youngsters and challenging the nine and 10 axis. Players will be better for today's performance."
Image source, PA MediaFT: England 33-12 Ireland
Alastair Telfer's match report is live, so feel free to take in his reflections on today's action.
Image source, ReutersFT: England 33-12 Ireland
England forward Sarah Bern, speaking to BBC Sport:
"We've got a new combination of players, and we've got a lot of youngsters in. We knew it wasn't going to be perfect and we were never expecting that.
"There were some elements that we were really celebrating and there's some elements that we'll definitely reflect on. But the atmosphere in the stadium was just fantastic, and that always helps us get over the line."
Image source, PA MediaFT: England 33-12 Ireland
Ireland Rugby
Ireland head coach Scott Bemand, speaking to BBC Sport: "I think that is a very good Red Roses team, they go through the gears but I am very pleased with the end. I am really encouraged with the spirit the Irish girls showed at the end.
"I think we are progressing, there were elements of the first half where we got the ball, but gave it away. We have to learn to go deeper in our attack threats.
"At some point people will realise that we have some fire power, and that we do create turnovers."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: England 33-12 Ireland
Wales v Scotland is just a few minutes away, it's live on BBC 2 and we have live text up and running as well.
FT: England 33-12 Ireland
On the big crowd angle, today's game took place in front of 77,120.
That's a record for a Women's Six Nations game, beating the previous one of 58,498 set at the England v France game in 2023.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: England 33-12 Ireland
England Rugby
England's captain and player of the match Meg Jones, speaking to BBC Sport: "I think there was always going to be nerves going into a big campaign off the back of an amazing World Cup.
"We wanted to play in front of big crowds and that is what we have today. We found our way and that is what a winning team does. I am sure we will brush up but I am really proud of the girls.
"There is huge growth potential. Players stepping up into leadership roles; they will have more of a voice, stepping into those positions and they will start owning the role."
On what she will do tonight after her first time running out as captain: "I will probably sit and reflect, coming out of the tunnel was amazing seeing everyone and singing the anthem."
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: England 33-12 Ireland
There's a nice scene as both teams take a lap of honour together, Ireland certainly deserve a lot of credit and the second half was actually 12-12.
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland 33-12 Ireland
Katy Daley-Mclean
England's 2014 World Cup winning captain on BBC One
My player of the match Meg Jones has put a shift in today, 14 carries, 61 metres. A really good performance from her today.
She epitomises what it is to be a Red Rose, she isn't afraid of who she is.
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland 33-12 Ireland
And that's the last meaningful action as the full-time whistle goes.
Ireland didn't fade away and ended the game well, and you just wonder how satisfied England will be with their performance?
Let us know what you think via Get Involved.
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland 33-12 Ireland
England have pressed Ireland back as we enter the last minute. But then Ireland break out and Aoife Dalton looks to be clear until Kildunne gets a hand to a loose pas just in the nick of time.
England 33-12 Ireland
Ireland are having the better of these closing stages, stealing a lineout and spinning it to the left until a knock-on ends a really promising move on the 22.
England 33-12 Ireland
Anna Caplice
Former Ireland international on BBC Two
Erin King should be really proud of that. This is what it takes, a leader in King, she is really smart.
That alone is something we can talk about with progress.
Image source, Getty Images
Erin King
The initial thrust was just short, but a tap penalty allowed Ireland another chance and the captain took it with both hands.
After a couple of goes where they were stopped just short, Erin King dived over a pile of bodies to add her side's second try right under the posts.
Thoroughly deserved.
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland 33-5 Ireland
Ireland have gone back on the attack, and have piled up by the posts. Have they got it down?
They have lacked nothing in spirit today.
And it's been confirmed this game has been watched by a record crowd for a Women's Six Nations game - 77,120 fans have enjoyed the party atmosphere today.
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland 33-5 Ireland
Kildunne didn't look overly happy at first, maybe because today hasn't gone quite so smoothly, but she did unveil the lasso celebration and a big smile as she ran back to halfway.
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland 33-5 Ireland
Katy Daley-Mclean
England's 2014 World Cup winning captain on BBC One
We needed something to bring this game to life and who else would it be than your cowgirl, Ellie Kildunne?
Image source, Getty ImagesEllie Kildunne
Who else?
England plunged back into the Irish half, then Zoe Harrison sent a long pass to her left and Ellie Kildunne kicked in the afterburners, gliding away from a couple of tacklers to place the ball down with one hand just in from the corner.
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland 21-5 Ireland
Anna Caplice
Former Ireland international on BBC Two
Oh my word! Well done Anna, she was just on the field but she stayed in with only blades of grass to play with. Good girl Anna McGann.
Image source, Getty Images
