Ireland competed in their first Autumn International, playing England at The Stoop, the match pitching the reigning six Nations Champions against the reigning World Champions.

World Champions England came out on top 8 – 3 in a fairly uneventful match.

England took a 3 point lead in the first half thanks to a penalty from Lauren Cattell and that’s how it remained until half time.

Niamh Briggs pulled it back to 3 – 3 in the second half before Izzy Noel-Smith touched down from a driving maul to win it late on.

England: Sarah Mckenna, Katie Mason, Izzy Noel-Smith, Ceri Large, Charlotte Clapp, Emily Scott, La toya Mason; Rochelle Clarke, Emma Croker, Justine Lucas, Tamara Taylor, Abbie Scott, Hannah Gallagher, Marlie Packer, Sarah Hunter (C). Replacements: Amy Cokayne, Vickii Cornborough, Heather Kerr, Harriet Millar-Mills, Izzy Noel-Smith, Leanne Riley, Rachel Lund, Ruth Laybourn

Ireland: Niamh Briggs (C), Jeamie Deacon, Aine Donnelly, Jackie Shiels, Mairead Coyne, Sene Naoupu, Larissa Muldoon; Ruth O’Reilly, Cliodhna Moloney, Ailis Egan, Elaine Anthony, Ciara Cooney, Sophie Spence, Paula Fitzpatrick, Heather O’Brien. Replacements: Zoe Grattage, Fiona Reidy, Fiona O’Brien, Katie Norris, Lindsay Peat, Mary Healy, Nora Stapleton, Claire McLaughlin