England suffer another setback

The visitors led 8-3 at half-time thanks to a penalty from captain Katy Mclean and a try from Harriet Millar-Mills, but were pegged back in the second period and lost to a late penalty converted by Niamh Briggs.

Mclean missed a long-range penalty before giving her side the lead moments later, this time making no mistake with a penalty despite the windy conditions.

Briggs levelled the scores with 20 minutes on the clock with a penalty of her own but England regained the lead just before the interval as Millar-Mills dove over the line following a powerful scrum.

Mclean missed the conversion with the last kick of the half and Ireland were soon level after play resumed following the break, with Larissa Muldoon darting over from close range.

Briggs hooked the attempted conversion well wide but made amends with what proved to be the winning penalty after England were penalised at the breakdown.

England lost 13-0 to Wales in their first Six Nations fixture before beating Italy 39-7 at home.