England edge a testy opener

The host World Cup nation started their campaign with a win with a four-try bonus point against a dogged Ireland side. The scoreline reflected the share of possession England enjoyed in the match but perhaps not the tenacious grilling they got from an impressive Ireland side.

The two teams took to the pitch to a huge reception with the crowd on their feet as they ran down the tunnel.

That introduction seemed to inspire England who went on the attack early with Irish fullback Niamh Briggs forced to make a last ditch tackle on Kat Merchant after just a minute.

Ireland weathered the early storm well enough defending tenaciously but England's first real wide attack brought a score with Fiona Pocock popping up out wide after a neat step from Danielle Waterman to bring the game's first try. Katy McLean knocked over the convert.

Ireland though hit back with a strong passage of play with Lynne Cantwell and Helen Brosnan making excellent ground only for a fumble to ruin the chance.

England enjoyed most of the possession as the half wore on but the Irish, despite a shaky scrum, were holding their own with some outstanding defence around the fringes when England kept the ball tight.

As good as they were around the fringes, Ireland did have trouble containing England when they put width on their game and they were lucky England didn't score again out wide when Waterman put the burners on and zoomed through their defence only to put a foot in touch before the line.

It was Ireland's turn next to make a good break with Cantwell searing through and passing to Nora Stapleton who was caught by Waterman on the 22. The move won Ireland a penalty at goal which Briggs missed but it fired up the girls in green who continued to apply the pressure in attack with England forced to make some massive tackles, most notably from Heather Fisher whose hit on Amy Davis drew an impressed noise from the crowd.

The home team though once again used a move through the middle to get back on the scoreboard as Maggie Alphonsi flew through the centre taking a pass from McLean from a fast line-out and the ball was worked out to Merchant who made no mistake in finishing for a 12-0 lead.

Ireland continued to defend doggedly as the half came to end but England ended on the attack as the whistle sounded.

The sides came out again to strong cheers as the Irish started the half fired up and worked their way deep into England territory but once again a fumble spoiled the opportunity.

Ireland continued to frustrate Ireland with Claire Molloy making life hard for McLean and eventually Briggs had a chance to register a score with a drop goal effort which sailed just wide.

That seemed to wake England up though as they moved play into Ireland's half and finally Amy Turner scored having taken a quick penalty just metres out to crash over. It was a score England badly needed as they struggled to break through a tough Irish rearguard. McLean slipped kicking the convert but it pushed the score out to 17-0.

England then surprisingly brought on six subs at once despite having not wrapped up a bonus point - which are very important in this competition for semi-final seedings.

The pressure to get that bonus point was showing as England made errors trying to force passes and moves that usually come off just failed to connect.

A penalty on 73 minutes right in front of the posts seemed like a perfect opportunity for England to get that precious fourth try but captain Catherine Spencer pointed to the posts and McLean put over the penalty to secure the game.

It set up an exciting finale and finally Maggie Alphonsi - who was outstanding throughout with 21 tackles made in all during the game - stole the bonus point with a try at the death.

Ireland can take plenty of positives from the game but will be disappointed not to have scored.

Image: (c) Ilona O'Donnell

England scorers:Fiona Pocock (try), Kat Merchant (1 try), Maggie Alphonsi (1 try), Amy Turner (1 try) Katy McLean (2 cons, 1 pen)

Ireland.Niamh Briggs, Amy Davis, Joanne O'Sullivan, Lynne Cantwell, Nora Stapleton, Helen Brosnan, Tania Rosser, Fiona Coghlan, Gillian Bourke, Louise Austin, Kate OLoughlin, Marie Louise Reilly, Orla Brennan, Claire Molloy, Joy Neville

Replacments:Shannon Houston (for Cantwell,60), Yvonne Nolan (for Austin 60)

England:Danielle Waterman, Katherine Merchant, Emily Scarratt, Rachael Burford, Fiona Pocock, Katy McLean, Amy Turner, Rochelle Clark, Amy Garnett, Sophie Hemmin, Becky Essex, Jo McGilchrist, Heather Fisher, Margaret Alphons, Catherine Spencer

Replacements: Emma Crocker, (for Garnett 60), Claire Purdy (for Clark, 60) .Tamara Taylor (for Fisher 60), Sarah Hunter (for Essex 60) Alice Richardson (for Burford 60) Charlotte Barras (for Merchant), La Toya Mason (for Turner 75)