ENGLAND had their expected runaway win over Ireland in the first women's international between the countries to take place on Irish soil.

The venue was the Garryowen grounds at Dooradoyle yesterday when about 2,000 people turned up to watch. They saw a game full of commitment from both teams, but inevitably the far more experienced and physically stronger English women ran out the easiest of winners.

England, as befits the reigning world champions, had a superbly balanced side which gave the Irish a torrid time, especially in the set pieces. The English dominated the scrums, an area from which three of their six tries emanated, and they also gained monopoly possession in the lineouts.

All credit then to the plucky Irish defence in which scrum half Realtine Shrieves and centre and captain Carol Ann Byrne were outstanding.

Nevertheless, England took the lead after 10 minutes with a well taken try by left winger Pip Spivey, and after 25 minutes the first of their pushover tries was touched down by their powerful number eight and captain, Gill Burns.

Three minutes into stoppage time in the first half the Scottish referee, Ian Ramage, saw fit to award England a penalty try for collapsing a scrum and this was converted by Giselle Prangnell to leave 17 points between the teams at the interval.