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Rugby - 08. February 2017.

WOMEN'S SIX NATIONS: ROUND ONE WRAP

It was a thrilling opening weekend of the Women's Six Nations with wins for England Women, Ireland Women and Wales Women

Jenny Murphy


Ireland kicked it off on the Friday night with a late win over Scotland, followed on Saturday by a Wales victory in Italy and then world champions England fought back to down France.


Scotland 15 Ireland 22
Friday February 3
Broadwood Stadium

Ireland were pushed hard on Friday night, as Scotland threatened a surprise victory but in the end a late converted try from Jenny Murphy proved decisive in the success.

Back-rower Paula Fitzpatrick was filling in as skipper for the injured Niamh Briggs and admitted there is plenty to work on before next week's trip to Italy.

Women's Six Nations Facebook/Women's Six Nations YouTube

She said: "We kept giving Scotland field possession by our own errors and that meant that we couldn't get the foothold in the match that we wanted in the first half.

"I know it is the first match of the tournament, but our breakdown work wasn't good enough. On the flip side of all of that Scotland threw a lot at us, but in the last 20 minutes we kept our composure and to get an away win while scoring four tries is not easy in any competition."

Italy 8 Wales 20
Saturday February 4
Stadio Pacifico Carotti

Wales extended their unbeaten run under Rowland Phillips to five, running in three tries away to Italy.

Carys Phillips, the coach's daughter, was one of the try-scorers, but the key to the win for her was the defensive effort.



She said: "Our commitment in defence, particularly in our 22, probably won us the game. Italy kept on coming at us so we had to empty the tank trying to keep them out.

"Our backs had to defend just as hard as the forwards at times, which shows how much of a threat Italy can be."

England 26 France 13
Saturday February 4
Twickenham Stadium

England managed to overcome a 13-point half-time deficit to down France, with Emily Scarratt outstanding as she kicked 16 points.

Danielle Waterman and Amy Wilson Hardy scored the England tries after the break, but it was Scarratt's goal-kicking that was particularly crucial in getting the home side back into the game.

However Scarratt admits they will have to start quicker in their next game against Wales if they are to fulfil their potential.



"The second half was fantastic, the first half probably wasn't the way we wanted to start the competition ideally but France came out really strong," she said.

"They showed us something we weren't expecting. It took us a while to adjust to that and get our game going.

"We showed what we are capable of after half-time, so we need to switch on slightly quicker in the future."

Tickets are available for every game of the Women's Six Nations - simply visit the websites below for each country:

ENGLAND
FRANCE
IRELAND
ITALY
SCOTLAND
WALES

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