Ireland v England: Women's Six Nations rugby union

The Guardian

12-04-2025

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It's a compliment to Ireland that John Mitchell has – after making 13 changes in between England's first two games – named what looks a full-strength side. Back after suspension, Alex Matthews makes her first start in this year's competition, replacing Maddie Feaunati at No 8. Props Maud Muir and Hannah Botterman are the other changes, coming in for Mackenzie Carson (ruled out for the tournament with an ankle injury) and Sarah Bern.
Ireland also make three changes: Dorothy Wall, Brittany Hogan and Emily Lane are rewarded for impressing off the bench in the 54-12 win in Italy with spots in the starting XV. The hosts are without Edel McMahon and Enya Breen through injury. Rising star Aoife Wafer going head-to-head with Matthews could be: tasty.
Ireland
Stacey Flood; Anna McGann, Aoife Dalton, Eve Higgins, Amee-Leigh Costigan (capt); Dannah O'Brien, Emily Lane; Niamh O'Dowd, Neve Jones, Linda Djougang, Fiona Tuite, Dorothy Wall, Brittany Hogan, Erin King, Aoife Wafer.
Replacements: Cliodhna Moloney, Siobhán McCarthy, Christy Haney, Ruth Campbell, Grace Moore, Aoibheann Reilly, Nicole Fowley, Vicky Elmes Kinlan.
England
Ellie Kildunne; Abby Dow, Megan Jones, Tatyana Heard, Jess Breach; Zoe Harrison, Natasha Hunt; Hannah Botterman, Lark Atkin-Davies, Maud Muir, Morwenna Talling, Abbie Ward, Zoe Aldcroft (capt), Sadia Kabeya, Alex Matthews.
Replacements: Amy Cockayne, Kelsey Clifford, Sarah Bern, Rosie Galligan, Maddie Feaunati, Lucy Packer, Holly Aitchison, Helena Rowland.
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (Fr) Share
England are on a roll: unbeaten in 31 Women's Six Nations games and with maximum points from their opening two matches in 2025 – but this is not the same Ireland side they walloped at Twickenham last year. In Cork, the Red Roses are facing a young, improving team who've come on leaps and bounds since they picked up the wooden spoon in this competition two years ago.
Ireland's standout result since is shocking world champions New Zealand last autumn, though it might be an even more seismic upset if Scott Bemand's team can derail the seemingly unstoppable England train. The Irish missed a few opportunities during an opening W6N defeat by France, but roared back to stick 54 points on Italy in Parma.
That means both sides have players coming into the game after hat-tricks: Amy McGann in Italy and Ellie Kildunne, the reigning world player of the year putting a nine-minute treble on Wales. Ouch. England have quality all over the pitch but it's a home World Cup year, so every match is in audition for that.
One thing we can expect is a lively atmosphere: earlier in the week over 7,000 tickets were sold for the 8,008-capacity Virgin Media Park (still Musgrave Park to many locals, perhaps). So it'll be a sellout or a near sellout. Can Ireland hold their nerve, not be overwhelmed and give their visitors a test? Or do England power on? We're about to find out with kick-off at 4.45pm BST. Share