England kept their Grand Slam hopes on track with a 49-5 win in Cork on Sunday, but they were made to work hard in order to do so by a competitive first-half performance from the hosts.
The victory takes England’s winning streak over the Irish beyond the 10-year mark, but the Red Roses’ first-half struggles were a marked difference to how the first 40 minutes played out in their 88-10 rout in last year’s championship.
England’s superior fitness levels showed in the second period as they rattled off six tries to dent the enthusiasm of the home crowd.
The bonus-point victory keeps England ahead of second-placed France ahead of their likely title showdown in two week’s time.
“That was really tough especially the first half,” fly-half Zoe Harrison told the BBC. “That one was about being patient. Ireland’s defence was fantastic so credit to them. We needed to get our momentum back.
“The half-time talk changed our mindset. It was calm and we talked about where we were putting pressure on ourselves.
After a combative first 25 minutes in which their stout defence frustrated the Red Roses, the hosts snatched the lead after Amee-Leigh Costigan beat Abby Dow to Dannah O’Brien’s kick in behind to become the first Irish women to score a try against England in more than six years.
The Red Roses struck back nine minutes later when Morwenna Talling finished off a driving maul.
John Mitchell’s side were given a boost after the interval when Ireland were reduced to 14 women when Niamh O’Dowd was sent to the sin-bin for repeated infringements.
But England’s struggles were laid bare when star fullback Ellie Kildunne was sent in behind the Irish line via a delicate grubber kick from Jess Breach, but the World Rugby player of the year failed to bring the bouncing ball into her grasp.
