Ireland 7 - 40 England: Dominant rivals crush dreams of Women"s Rugby World ...

England now face either France or Canada in final

England’s Katy Mclean (R) and Danielle Waterman of England (C) celebrate with Katherine Merchant of England (L) after she scores a try during against Ireland. Pic Jordan Mansfield

PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 13: England Captain Katy Mclean throws past Nora Stapleton and Niamh Briggs of Ireland during the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final match between Ireland and England at Stade Jean Bouin on August 13, 2014 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 13: England Captain Katy Mclean kicks past Gillian Bourke of Ireland during the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-final match between Ireland and England at Stade Jean Bouin on August 13, 2014 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

13 August 2014

Ireland have lost 7 – 40 to England during their Women’s Rugby World Cup rugby semi-final clash in Paris.

The Ireland squad had a strong opening first half, ruling the line-out, and took the lead early on.

They were 7-0 up after 14 minutes thanks to a try from Alison Miller and a conversion from full-back Niamh Briggs.

But England worked their way back to a strong 7-18 lead at half-time.

When the sides returned to the pitch, England’s dominance began.

Over the course of play, the team landed a series of tries including those from Clark, Merchant, Wilson and Packer.

Ireland failed to score a single point in the second half.

England will now progress to the World Cup final which will be played on Sunday in Paris.

Ireland claimed a shock victory over New Zealand earlier this month, ending the reigning champs’ dreams of a fifth consecutive title.

They advanced to the semi-finals for the first time in their history with a convincing 40-5 victory over Kazakhstan in Marcoussis.

The 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup is the seventh staging of the tournament and the sixth to be held in Europe.

Ireland: Briggs (Munster); Baxter (Ulster), Cantwell (Richmond), Davitt (Ulster), Miller (Connacht); Stapleton (Leinster), Rosser (Leinster); Coghlan (Leinster, capt), Bourke (Munster), Egan (Leinster); Spence (Leinster), Reilly (Leinster); Fitzpatrick (Leinster), Molloy (Connacht), O’Brien (Munster).

Replacements: Lynch, Murphy (both Leinster), Hayes, Fleming, Guest (Munster), Muldoon (Bristol), Casey (Saracens)

England: Waterman (Bristol); Merchant (Worcester), Scarratt (Lichfield), Burford (Thurrock), Wilson (Bristol); Mclean (Darlington MP, capt), Mason (Wasps); Clark (Worcester), Fleetwood (Lichfield), Hemming (Bristol); Taylor (Darlington MP), McGilchrist (Wasps); Matthews (Richmond), Alphonsi (Saracens), Hunter (Lichfield).

Replacements: Croker, Essex, Allen (all Richmond), Keates, Large (Worcester), Packer (Wasps), Hunt (Lichfield).

Further reading

Talented Ulster trio inspire rising stars of rugby 

England are aiming to capitalise on Black Ferns exit 

Flying start for Ireland’s women rugby players in Paris

Irish women’s rugby team confident they can beat old enemy England

Scarratt wary of Ireland threat

Ireland back to full strength

Ireland coach Philip Doyle calls for belief in Irish revenge mission

Ireland through to last four 

Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28743941

Ireland 7 - 40 England: Dominant rivals crush dreams of Women"s Rugby World ...