As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail paul@thescore.ie, tweet @thescore_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.
You may need to refresh the page for YouTube videos and other elements to display correctly.
Hello, and welcome to our liveblog on a historic day for Irish sport.
Here are today’s teams:
IRELAND WOMEN: Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster); Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Lynne Cantwell (Richmond/Exile), Grace Davitt (Cooke/Ulster), Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht); Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster); Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) (capt), Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster), Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Sophie Spence (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), Heather O’Brien (Highfield/Munster).
Replacements: Sharon Lynch (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Fiona Hayes (UL Bohemians/Munster), Siobhan Fleming (Tralee/Munster), Laura Guest (Highfield/Munster), Larissa Muldoon (Bristol/Exile), Jenny Murphy (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Hannah Casey (Saracens/Exile).
ENGLAND WOMEN: Danielle Waterman (Bristol); Katherine Merchant (Worcester), Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), Rachael Burford (Thurrock), Kay Wilson (Bristol); Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) (capt); La Toya Mason (Wasps); Rochelle Clark (Worcester), Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), Sophie Hemming (Bristol), Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), Alexandra Matthews (Richmond), Maggie Alphonsi (Saracens), Sarah Hunter (Lichfield).
Replacements: Emma Croker (Richmond), Laura Keates (Worcester), Rebecca Essex (Richmond), Marlie Packer (Wasps), Natasha Hunt (Lichfield), Ceri Large (Worcester), Claire Allan (Richmond).
Referee: Amy Perrett (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Nicky Inwood (New Zealand), Alex Pratt (Scotland)
Here’s some reading material for you ahead of today’s game.
- Ireland’s Niamh Briggs nominated for IRB World Player of the Year
- Ireland is absolutely pumped for the RWC semi-final against England
- World Cup semi-final feels like just another step for Ireland’s history makers
- The side between Ireland and a World Cup final; who are the English women’s rugby team?
- Ireland wing Miller hoping to spark back three for World Cup semi-final
- Analysis: Ireland show depth to seal first-ever World Cup semi-final
- 5 key areas for Ireland in their World Cup semi-final against England
Some pre-game pics…
(Ireland players in the dressing room prior to the match)
(Ireland’s Nora Stapleton in the dressing room before the game)
(Ireland’s Sophie Spence arrives ahead of the game)
For those of you reading who aren’t hardcore followers of women’s rugby, here’s a few interesting facts relating to this game that you may not know.
- England have lost the last three World Cup finals to New Zealand.
- It’s Ireland’s first time in the World Cup semi-final.
- England won 17 -10 when the sides met in Twickenham this season.
- Irish head coach Philip Doyle is retiring after the World Cup.
- Ireland beat England 25 – 0 on the way to the 2013 Six Nations.
- The winners will face either France or Canada (who finished 4th in 98, 2002 and 2006), which takes place later this evening (kick off: 19.45).
George Hook in typically pessimistic mood ahead of the game.
1 minute - Good start for Ireland! They win a scrum inside the England half. However, their opponents subsequently win it against the head and can now launch an attack.
6 minutes - England have had the better of the opening stages, though Ireland have been impressive in defence thus far.
Niamh Briggs has just kicked into touch to give Ireland some relief from the early pressure.
9 minutes - Ireland have a lineout just outside England’s 10-metre line.
Ireland have attacked a little more in recent minutes, though the it’s been very evenly matched overall.
10 minutes - Ireland win a scrum just outside England’s 22.
They subsequently launch an attack, but England defend well and eventually steal it off an isolated Niamh Briggs after she’s tackled.
15 minutes - Alison Miller is penalised for not rolling away, but it’s brought back for an Ireland penalty, after some desperate England defending on their line. They kick it into touch for a lineout as they prepare to attack once more.
TRY! IRELAND 7-0 ENGLAND (Rosser 15)
15 minutes - The ball goes down in the vicinity of the English line amid a deluge of bodies from both sides after another good lineout from Ireland. The referee awards it after consulting the video ref with Tania Rosser being credited. Briggs makes no mistake with the conversion.
Though our friends at the Mirror briefly thought a certain Sindo journalist had arrived to redeem herself.
ENGLAND 8-7 IRELAND (Scarratt 33)
England lead for the first time now thanks to an Emily Scarratt penalty. They’ve fought back impressively and look set to lead at half-time.
23 mins - Ireland in trouble at the moment. England with an attack that lasts for 11 phases, before Baxter collects a dinked kick through and eventually puts it into touch to alleviate the pressure temporarily.
TRY! IRELAND 7-5 ENGLAND (Hunter 24)
24 minutes - It was coming and it’s another scrappy try with Sarah Hunter touching down eventually after a sustained England attack. Ireland still lead by two, however, as the conversion is missed.
England 15-7 Ireland (Merchant 35)
Kat Merchant crosses over in the corner, handing off her marker as she does so. Scarratt makes no mistake with the ensuing conversion.
Big blow for Ireland!
39 minutes - England win a penalty on the halfway line and kick to touch for one last play just before half-time.
England 18-7 Ireland (Scarratt 40)
Emily Scarratt makes it three successful kicks out of four on the brink of half-time. The Irish team have a bit of a mountain to climb in the second half if they’re to get back in this game.
41 minutes - English wing Kay Wilson is tackled into play as her team begin the second half in a similarly positive fashion to the way in which they ended the first.
There are no changes so far from Ireland by the way, though Jenny Murphy is warming up.
45 minutes - England break into the Irish 22, after another missed tackle, this time from Nora Stapleton, they win a penalty.
Emily Scarratt, who’s been excellent so far, can extend England’s lead.
England 21-7 Ireland (Scarratt 45)
Scarratt unsurprisingly is successful with another attempt, increasing England’s advantage in the process.
Ireland react by making two changes, with Siobhan Fleming and Jenny Murphy on for Grace Davitt and Heather O’Brien.
49 minutes - Promising break for Ireland, but Alison Miller is eventually penalised for not releasing after being tackled.
Ireland have just under half an hour now to rescue their World Cup dream.
53 minutes - England now have a scrum inside the Irish 22. No sign of an Ireland comeback yet, with their opponents so far continuing where they left off at the end of the first-half.
(Ireland’s men’s head coach Joe Schmidt watches from the stands)
England 26-7 Ireland (Wilson)
A well-worked play from England ultimately sees Kay Wilson dive over in the corner.
After consultation with the video official, the referee awards the try.
That might be the final nail in Ireland’s coffin, I’m afraid, though Scarratt has at least dragged the conversion wide.
59 minutes - Ireland have a lineout in the English 22.
They subsequently win a penalty that Briggs puts into touch again. Does an unlikely comeback start here?
61 minutes - Poor knock-on from Tania Rosser as she attempts to collect a kick and England launch an attack.
Kay Wilson, who’s been a huge threat all game, takes the ball into the Irish 22 in an attack that eventually ends with England earning a scrum in their opponents’ 22.
63 minutes - England have made a number of changes including a totally new front row.
Looks like they think they have this game more or less won at this stage.
64 minutes - Niamh Briggs kicks into touch to temporarily at least end this period of English pressure.
The game is then stopped for a water break, with Ireland knowing that this game is all but over.
(England’s Katherine Merchant celebrates her try earlier with Danielle Waterman)
66 minutes - Worrying scenes, as Lynne Cantwell takes a blow to the head as she tackles Emily Scarratt.
She is eventually up on her feet thankfully, but she’ll play no further part in this game, as Hannah Casey comes on in her place.
67 minutes - England’s Laura Keates has now taken another blow to the head. Again, she seems to be alright, though she’ll be taken off ostensibly as a precautionary measure.
Ireland have only pride to play for now with just over 10 minutes remaining.
England 33-7 Ireland (Packer)
Marlie Packer shrugs off at least three attempted tackles to power over the line to provide the icing on the cake for England. Replacement Ceri Large then makes no mistake with the conversion.
72 minutes - Laura Guest is on for Sophie Spence as this game approaches its conclusion.
England 40-7 Ireland (Packer 73)
Marlie Packer gets another try — England’s fifth in total — after a clever chip through from Rachael Burford. Ceri Large again slots over the simple conversion.
It’s turning into a sad end for what has been an incredible tournament for Ireland.
Jenny Murphy is down for Ireland, though she seems to be alright after receiving treatment.
Ireland will need their players fit, as they still have one more game to play — the third-place playoff against the losers of tonight’s France-Canada match.
C’Mon Ireland – best of luck to Niamh and all the Ireland squad!
Hon Ireland,
The old enemy,
Hit ‘em hard their no relation…
God save the queen.. come on England
Who actually gives a shite.. 15 culchie regulars from coppers running around a pitch covered in mud…
Is there make up substitutions
We will done England. Aren’t you the bright spark King!
COYGIG!!!
I’d love to drop a load of ky jelly from a plane onto the field during the game, just a thing I’ve always thought about! Anyway best of luck Ireland!
Would you have none then ?
Relax lads I know well ye think about these things too, especially you Marty, she was tellin me some of your BIZZARE requests!!
I swear to god it was the first time I asked and it was more of a suggestion than a request
Well she was very upset about it lad, she knew there was something up when she saw the generator left at the back of the house.
Come on girls, best of luck to ye all.Very proud of each and everyone of ye. Go and kick ass!! Eire Abu
Straight into these minnows! Defeat is not an option.. Best of luck ladies!
Let’s be honest we don’t really care
C’mon the boys
more horse shit
Stop following me
Good luck girls!
I can’t understand the referee. I really can’t. What is she watching. She gives us advantage on a few occasions then when England turn the ball over shes doing nothing absolutely nothing. Its baffling
Wheres that bandwagon, oh there it is , come on Ireland !!!
Go back to from whatever stone you crawled out off Dec, or is it Dic, I’ve been supporting the girls for yrs shut up u r mouth
A nation holds it’s breath…
Best of luck ladies!!!
Fook Off George Hook.
He’s right about the refs
Hes spot on. Ive lost count of forward passes from england.
Penalty against Ireland in the scrum even though England blatantly pushed early. And Briggs was not the tackler therefore could compete for the ball
The truth
Yeah I’m not overly impressed with the standard of refereeing either. Definitely a couple of forward passes. Maybe I shouldn’t be complaining, but it would hate to see Ireland lose due to bad refereeing decisions rather than England playing better. Couldn’t be proud about ta
Hat.
England are excellent steve. Very powerful side.
Ah. The sound of massive Irish rugby hype being brought crashing back to reality.
Happens a lot, doesn’t it?
Considering 3 of our provinces are some of europes biggest teams and we are currently 6 nations champions..that would be a no. Need a bigger stick to stir do we?
Provincial rugby doesn’t count. Open to all players to be signed from all over the world. Doesn’t measure the true strength of a country’s game
At international level the “golden generation” massively underachieved and almost always blew it when the chips were down.
Provinces Europe. Uk and France thats about it.
Last 20 minutes has been all England. Their scrum is dominating ours and we don’t seem to have an answer to their forward play. But it’s only half time and a serious pep talk is needed. I remain hopeful!
Greetings from Madrid, there’s a decent crowd in the James Joyce bar for this game.
Una cerveza por favor!!!
Cerveza grande señor!
Is anyone else aroused by the slow motion replays….maybe there’s something wrong with me!
Come on Ireland….believe
Time to make history ladies. Destiny makers
That’s the end of that bandwagon
It’s embarrassing, it looks like men against little girls at the moment. No tactics?
Is Nora Stapleton the Sexiest Fly Half ever……#neverthoughtidsaythat
Rog will not be happy
Same old story. Bottled it again. Afraid of success. At home in defeat.
Best of luck to both these teams although exceptionally I’m hoping Ireland lose. Support Irish teams against everyone they play except England. Congratulations to Niamh on her nomination.
Well aren’t you a great fellow altogether?
Don’t tell them you’re English, Steve. The Shinners will be after you.
Shinners are not that bright. There are probably several words in Steve’s sentence that the average Shinner would not understand. I would guess that if they had a team of their most intelligent people working on the sentence that an approximate meaning could be achieved before nightfall.
Black Friday
Damm never thought about that looks as though they are. Hang on maybe the red thumbs are due to my supporting Ireland when they’re not playing England or wishing Niamh congrats. Wonder how many of them follow English football teams.
Its fk all about shinners. Im an irish man who wants is to win. No offence steve, but im not going to support england
The truth,
Absolutely no offence taken. I would be surprised if you didn’t want Ireland to win. I watched England v Ireland in a pub in Naas think I was the only English supporter there great craic, great slagging and banter. Lots of congrats and 3 pints that in my mind is what Ireland England pf games should be about. Great score just now though, although I didn’t expect to see such a difference at any time.
Spot on mate. Its only sport. Hate when someone like the other clown tries to stir things up
RA heads are out in force. RA United. :)
Interestingly, support for the Shinnners over the last twenty years has increased in tandem with an increase in Leaving Cert students receiving A’s or A1′s in their results.
Probably just a coincidence.
I’m an Irishman, I’m am Irish Republican. I support the re-unification of our people. I support England.
Women are SOOOO much better at sports than men, they are way more skilled & superior football player’s also!!
totes!!!
And they also know where to stick an apostrophe.
These look like little girls at the moment not women. I can’t bare to look anymore
Not sure how that try was awarded tbh but feck it not complaining ha
England playing good rugby but great defence by the Irish
COYGIG
Just as I say it the English score :(
Omg my god. so disappointing. Ireland 7 England 40
Irelands ball retention is top class. As good as in any team
Back in your box now ladies.
Come on Irish Ladies, regroup at half time and send the Engerlish packing !!!!!
Alison Miller struggles defensively which is a pity because she is top class going forward,,twice now her opposite no. Has put her on her back side!!
Think dey done a Sonia O’Sullivan !
Best of luck ladies COYGIG
Where can I watch it online?
Comedy channel
Can’t miss that many straight up tackles in any game.
Fair play for getting this far though. The women did us proud.
G’Wan Nora Stapleton! Up Donegal!
They are a credit to the country even in defeat. They can hold their heads up high, great tournament just came up against a strong English team.
Irish ladies are well underpowered . Scrum , 13 and 15 are killing Ireland. England’s game plan is simple , cut outs to 13 and straight hard running. Not much you can do about lack of power. They’re making very basic mistakes as well…… Long way back.
Yup… Missing tackles all over the place. Could turn into a hiding pretty quickly. Pity for the ladies.
In 3 mins ive counted 3 blatant english fouls. 2 hand on the ground. Early push in scrum. No penalty. Its an awful shame that the standard of referees does not match the standard of player. Embarrassing for the womens game
Wouldn’t make a shred of difference…. Ireland are lucky to come second today – that’s sport, have to hold your hand up. Decent achievement to get to semis (of course they weren’t there for moral victories) with a fraction of resources the english have. This cup run should give them a bit of impetuous now.
True k. Thats a very powerful classy England side. Very hard team to beat
I laugh at people red thumbing this. Like I said, it turned into a hiding. Not gloating in that fact but there are some seriously myopic irish sports “fans” who are incapable of seeing what’s in front of their face. England overpowered Ireland and had too much guile besides.
How did Jenny Murphy now start ? Pure power in the centre!!
Tough England pack dominating scrims but hopefully loose ball and line outs might get Ireland back in the game -GIVE IT A LASH !