World Champions England Launch Six Nations Campaign in Style With 33-12 Win Over Ireland

England began their 2026 Women’s Six Nations campaign the way they ended the last chapter of their remarkable story — with a win, in front of a crowd that rewrote the record books. A brace of tries from the lineout gave the Red Roses a 21-0 halftime buffer, and despite some uncharacteristic sloppiness after the break, England’s class told in the final analysis as they ran out 33-12 winners over Ireland at Twickenham.

The attendance of 77,120 was the largest in Women’s Six Nations history, falling just 4,700 short of the overall women’s rugby world record set at the World Cup final last September, when England beat Canada at the same venue to claim the sport’s ultimate prize. The atmosphere crackled from the first whistle, and the home side delivered a performance that mixed genuine brilliance with enough imprecision to keep their coaching staff grounded.

Captain for the day Megan Jones, leading England for the first time, was named player of the match after a display that underlined exactly why she is considered central to this team’s next chapter. “There’s always going to be nerves going into a big campaign off the back of an amazing World Cup,” Jones said. “To have this crowd is phenomenal. We want to play but sometimes it gets a bit unstuck like that. But we found ways, that’s what a winning team does.”

The opening try was a statement of intent. Amy Cokayne, the hooker, peeled off the tail of a lineout and powered over, before Sarah Bern’s powerful carry from the same set-piece play doubled the advantage. Ireland, to their credit, refused to fold. Anna McGann and new captain Erin King crossed in the second half for their narrowest defeat against England in a decade, refusing to let the world champions coast home without a contest.

England’s class ultimately told. Jess Breach, as reliable as anyone in this England side, crossed for her 54th try in her 54th Test appearance — a remarkable ratio that underlines her standing as one of the most prolific finishers in the women’s game. Ellie Kildunne then capped a sweeping 60-meter counterattack with a try in the corner that sent the Twickenham crowd into raptures.

The result extended England’s world-record winning streak to 34 consecutive Test matches, dating back years of near-total dominance. It was not a flawless display — two players finished the game on crutches, and the error count will give head coach John Mitchell plenty to address in training this week. But with France also winning comfortably against Italy, the heavyweight showdown between the two nations looms larger with each passing round.

“Bring on next weekend,” Kildunne said afterward. For England, the only direction is forward.