However, it was always going to get tougher after the break, and playing with the wind, the Irish came back strongly scoring 20 points in 20 second half minutes. A consolation and second try for Fitt was England’s only score of the half.

Despite the defeat, Academy Coach Gary Street was impressed with the performance of his young side:

“We are obviously disappointed to have lost, but I am pretty pleased with the performance. We put out a young squad of 22 today and I couldn’t ask any more from the girls. Some of our handling was very encouraging and we continued to play for the full 80 minutes, even though we found it difficult to get out of our half when playing against the wind. The whole experience has been great for the squad and it bodes well for the future of English Women’s rugby.”

The next England Academy game is on Sunday 6th February away to Holland.

The full England side kick-off their Six Nations campaign against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday 4th February 2005, kick-off 7.45pm. For more information, or tickets please call the Wales Rugby Football Union for Women on 029 2082 2442. For details on other England games please visit www.rfu.com and select the Women’s Rugby tab.

Match details

Scorers:
10min England try, Fitt (5-0), conversion, Richardson (7-0);
26min Ireland try, Tucker (7-5);
30min England try, Layland (12-5).
H-T 12-5
51min Ireland penalty, Belton (12-8);
52min Ireland try, Rosser (12-13);
62 min Ireland try, Belton (12-18), conversion, Belton (12-20);
71min Ireland try, Tucker (12-25);
75min England try, Fitt (17-25), conversion, Lovett (19-25)
F-T 19-25

England:
1. Sophie Hemming (Clifton) (rep. Gemma Paul (Lichfield) 40min), 2. Emma Layland (Richmond) (rep. Clare Steer (Henley) 40min), 3. Mel McKenzie (Henley), 4. Emma Dresser (C) (Lichfield), 5. Natalie Binstead (Wasps) (rep. Becky Essex (Worcester) 40min), 6. Sarah Hunter (Lichfield), 7. Lois Moulding (Worcester), 8. Leah Carey (Lichfield),
9. Harriet Slynn (Waterloo), 10. Alice Richardson (Worcester) (rep. Alice Lovett (Lichfield) 60min), 11. Amber Penrith (Worcester), 12. Ellen Small (Waterloo), 13. Libby Fox (Clifton) (rep. Claire Allan (Worcester) 40min), 14. Natasha Fitt (Saracens), 15. Joanne Watmore (Thirsk) (rep. Georgina Roberts (Avon) 40min)

Ends