PICTURE SPECIAL: England Women beat Ireland at sell-out Castle Park

Playing their first home game of the campaign after victories in France and Scotland, the Red Roses scored five tries without reply against an Irish side who also went into the game with a 100 per cent from two home games.

The result was never in doubt as clinical England raced into a commanding 22-0 interval lead despite limited territory and possession, but their second half performance fell short of expectations.

Ireland showed up well in defence but lacked a cutting edge in attack and England always looked to be with a chance of keeping a second successive clean sheet.

England took an early lead when No 8 Sarah Hunter showed good footwork at back of the scrum prior to touching down near enough for centre Emily Scarratt to convert.

Ireland produced a spirited response but were unable to trouble the England defence.

Play was held up following an injury to Irish prop Lindsay Peat who was eventually stretchered off.

England hit the ground running when play resumed with full-back Sarah McKenna rounding off some impressive build-up play when joining the line out wide and sending wing Abby Dow over from close range.

After going close through their forwards, England moved the ball left from a five-metre scrum which ended with wing Jess Breach handing off her marker close to the line to claim her 22nd try international try in just 13 games.

England bagged a bonus point try on the stroke of half-time, flanker Vicky Fleetwood touching down from a rolling maul.

England had been expected to emphasise the gulf in class in the second half but that didn’t happen as mistakes crept into their game and Ireland stuck to their task.

It took them almost 20 minutes to breach the Irish line again, McKenna cutting back inside from a short ball by Katy Daley-McClean ten metres out.