Ireland 11 England 8

Niamh Briggs led the Irish women’s rugby team to a famous victory over England in Ashbourne.

Briggs played the captains role as the Irish side slay last year’s World champions with a display of courage and hunger in what may be the final international in Ashbourne RFC.

Waterford woman Briggs played a captains role, kicking an 81st minute penalty to secure an Irish victory and set Tom Tierney’s side on course for the Triple Crown.

Billed as a rematch of last summer’s World cup semi-final. The In a two much changed sides played out a classic game of rugby where Ireland gain some revenge from last August’s mauling.

The visitors had taken a half time lead, some three minutes in stoppage time, in what had been an entertaining evening in the Meath arena.

English fly half Katy McLean finding the conditions challenging, failing to convert three first half penalties, the first a central kick from the 22.

McLean made amends just two minutes later after Irish captain Niamh Briggs high challenge on Alexandra Matthews left another central kick for the Darlington fly half.

Playing the first half with a swirling breeze, the visitors moved the ball with aplomb and should have the tested the Irish back line more.

Left wing Sydeny Gegson a constant torn in the Irish side, though McLean unable to convert a third penalty on 20 minutes showing a bluntness in the Irish attack.

One moment of magic by Hannah Tyrell awoke the green giants with the Leinster right wing making a 30 meter surge midway through the opening period.

Briggs showed coolness on 26 minutes to level up the scores slotting home from 12 meters after referee Leah Berard having allowed an Irish advantage fail to flourish.

The green giants had awoken, Tyrell again driving into English territory on 32 minutes. A loose Larissa Muldoon pass undoing the hosts as they knocked on the English door from five meters.

Lack of concentration cost the hosts a level pegging at half time. The hosts asleep from a Gregson return when it looked as the danger had passed.

England moved the ball at speed across the paddock. Harriet Millar-Mills tapping down the try three minutes into additional time after Briggs high tackle cause a scrum.

The hosts arrived from the dressing room with vigour inspired, now playing with a stiffing breeze to their backs, forcing the English roses to yield territory.

Larissa Muldoon grabbing a quick thinking try with a tap and go penalty past Lauren Cattell after Abigail Brown had delivered a costly knock on.

The World champions reorganised after the Irish try, with particular leadership from Bianca Blackburn and Katy McLean, settling down the newer English players.

The Irish defended stoutly with 15 minute of the game remaining, Ceri Large weaving through Jenny Miller’s challenge before the line, the Irish pack, swallowing up the English charge.

Ireland barged the English back line with moments of normal time remaining, late replacement Hannah Field giving away the telling penalty under the posts after challenge had flown in from both sides.

As if written in the stars up stepped Irish captain Niamh Briggs shaking off cram to the slot the penalty over and dismiss the World champions.

Ireland: Briggs, Tyrrell, Murphy, Fitzhenry, Miller, Stapleton, Muldoon, O’Reilly, Bourke, Egan, Spence, Reilly, Fitzpatrick, Molloy, O’Brien

Tries: Muldoon 50”

Con

Penalties: Briggs 26”, 80+1”

Replacements: Mimnagh for O’Reilly 48”, Rosser for Muldoon 73”, O’Brien for Egan 80+2

Replacements not used: Hayes, Fitzsimons, Norris, Shiels, Naoupu

England: Cattell, Laybourn, Brown, Large, Gregson, McLean, Blackburn, Clark, Fleetwood, Keates, Taylor, Scott, Matthews, Gallagher, Millar-Mills

Tries: Millar-Mills 40+3”

Con

Penalties: McLean 11”

Replacements: Reed for Laybourn 76”, Field for Cattel 80”, Goodard for Laybourn 80+2”, Davidson for Gregaon 80+6”

Replacements not used: Cokayne, Kerr, Lucas, Burnfield,

Referee: Leah Barard (USA)