England sweep to Grand Slam glory

England have been crowned the women's rugby Six Nations champions for the sixth year in a row after victory over Ireland also brought them the Grand Slam.

England led 12-0 at the break having dominated early posession and they piled on the pressure in the second half with three tries to secure another fine win.

Ireland braved a strong English charge early in the match to ensure that the margin of defeat was nothing like that of the Scots last week (who fell 89-0), with Niamh Briggs, Niamh Kavanagh, Claire Molloy and Joy Neville among those standing firm.

England were camped in the Irish half in the opening quarter, but depsite dominating poessession and territory, had just two tries and a conversion to show for their efforts after Ireland offered strong resistance.

Captain Katy McLean(pictured)bagged the first try of the night in the seventh minute, with number 8 Sarah Hunter claiming the visitors second five-pointer as they stole a 10-0 lead by the 21st minute.

Kicker McLean landed a subsequent conversion, but Ireland pushed hard over the next 10 minutes in an effort to get back in the game.

The hosts reached within 10 metres of England line after a strong period of pressure with Nora Stapleton and Briggs combining well before Larissa Muldoon was taken down after the off-load.

Ireland continued to press hard, but a missed Briggs penalty kick in the 32nd minute ensured England continued to hold a 12-point lead at the break.

England dominated possession in the opening stages of the second half, eager to make further inroads into their interval advantage with players such as Heather Fisher making a real impact in the loose.

Ireland withstood strong pressure from the Championship specialists over the third quarter, until pop Rockie Clark snuck through for England's third try in the 44th minute.

McLean landed the resulting conversion, before prop Sophie Hemming claimed England's fourth try to ensure a 24-0 lead with 22 minutes remaining.

England continued to cause the Irish defence some problems in the closing stages, and although Ireland defended hard, flanker Margaret Alphonsi snuck through for an injury time try.

Scorers for England:K McLean try, 3con; Sarah Hunter try; R Clark try, S Hemming try, M Alphonsi try.

IRELAND: N Briggs, N Kavanagh, L Cantwell, G Rea, M Kelly, N Stapleton, L Muldoon; F Coghlan, G Bourke, A Egan, H O'Brien, ML O'Reilly, L Guest, C Molloy, J Neville. Replacements: L Day for Egan (40); J Shiels for Rea (60); C Staunton for Guest (72); S Kennedy for Bourke (73); A Davis for Muldoon (73); G Nolan for Kelly (73); D O'Brien for H O'Brien (75)

ENGLAND: E Scarratt, K Mechant, R Burford, K Oliver, F Matthews, K McLean, LT Mason; R Clark, E Croker, S Hemming, R Essex, J McGilchrist, H Fisher, M Alphonsi, S Hunter. Replacements: C Purdy for (45); C Spencer for Hunter (45); G Roberts for Merchant (61); G Rozario for Mason (68)

REFEREE: Sarah Corrigan (ARU)