England player ratings vs Ireland: 2026 Women's Six Nations
Rugby NewsSaturday, 11 April 2026 at 16:19
England player ratings vs Ireland as the Red Roses stormed to a bonus-point win in their Six Nations opener at Twickenham.
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England secured a convincing 33–12 win over Ireland, built on forward dominance and clinical finishing.
The Red Roses scored five tries through Amy Cokayne, Sarah Bern (2), Jess Breach, and Ellie Kildunne, with Helena Rowlandadding four conversions.
The only concern was a nasty-looking injury to Morwenna Talling, who was forced off early in the second half.
Scroll down for England player ratings vs Ireland.
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England: 33
Ireland: 12
England player ratings vs Ireland:
Backs
15, Ellie Kildunne – 9
Kildunne delivered an electric all-round display and capped her performance with a well-taken try in the 66th minute. She amassed 137 metres from 21 carries, beat four defenders, and made two clean breaks, while also contributing nine tackles and a turnover, underlining her influence at both ends of the field.
Kildunne delivered an electric all-round display and capped her performance with a well-taken try in the 66th minute. She amassed 137 metres from 21 carries, beat four defenders, and made two clean breaks, while also contributing nine tackles and a turnover, underlining her influence at both ends of the field.
14, Jess Breach – 8
Breach combined pace and finishing ability, scoring England’s fourth try in the 54th minute. She produced three clean breaks from seven carries, gaining 38 metres and consistently stretching Ireland’s defence. Her three tackles added defensive value to an assured wing performance.
Breach combined pace and finishing ability, scoring England’s fourth try in the 54th minute. She produced three clean breaks from seven carries, gaining 38 metres and consistently stretching Ireland’s defence. Her three tackles added defensive value to an assured wing performance.
13, Meg Jones (c) – 8
The captain led with composure and control, carrying 11 times for 35 metres and adding a clean break. Jones distributed effectively with eight passes and impressed defensively with seven tackles and a turnover, providing stability and leadership in England’s midfield throughout the contest.
The captain led with composure and control, carrying 11 times for 35 metres and adding a clean break. Jones distributed effectively with eight passes and impressed defensively with seven tackles and a turnover, providing stability and leadership in England’s midfield throughout the contest.
12, Helena Rowland – 9
Rowland orchestrated England’s attack superbly and contributed eight points from four successful conversions (8’, 19’, 30’, 54’). Her 16 passes ensured attacking fluency, while six tackles highlighted her defensive commitment. A calm and authoritative performance that guided England’s territorial and tactical dominance.
Rowland orchestrated England’s attack superbly and contributed eight points from four successful conversions (8’, 19’, 30’, 54’). Her 16 passes ensured attacking fluency, while six tackles highlighted her defensive commitment. A calm and authoritative performance that guided England’s territorial and tactical dominance.
11, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald – 8
An industrious and influential display from the winger. Moloney-MacDonald gained 64 metres from 10 carries, beat two defenders, and made two clean breaks. She also provided a try assist, alongside 12 passes, three offloads, and a turnover, showcasing her all-round attacking and defensive contributions.
An industrious and influential display from the winger. Moloney-MacDonald gained 64 metres from 10 carries, beat two defenders, and made two clean breaks. She also provided a try assist, alongside 12 passes, three offloads, and a turnover, showcasing her all-round attacking and defensive contributions.
10, Holly Aitchison – 8
Aitchison managed the game effectively from fly-half, delivering 24 passes and carrying five times for 26 metres. Her tactical awareness and composure ensured England maintained control, while her defensive contribution added further balance to a strong performance.
Aitchison managed the game effectively from fly-half, delivering 24 passes and carrying five times for 26 metres. Her tactical awareness and composure ensured England maintained control, while her defensive contribution added further balance to a strong performance.
9, Lucy Packer – 8
Packer dictated the tempo with 64 accurate passes, providing quick service that enabled England’s attacking rhythm. She also contributed defensively with two tackles and a turnover, underlining her influence at the base of the ruck.
Packer dictated the tempo with 64 accurate passes, providing quick service that enabled England’s attacking rhythm. She also contributed defensively with two tackles and a turnover, underlining her influence at the base of the ruck.
Forwards
1, Kelsey Clifford – 7
Clifford provided a solid foundation in the scrum and contributed effectively in open play, making 11 carries for eight metres and completing three tackles. She also secured a turnover, reinforcing England’s dominance in the forward exchanges.
Clifford provided a solid foundation in the scrum and contributed effectively in open play, making 11 carries for eight metres and completing three tackles. She also secured a turnover, reinforcing England’s dominance in the forward exchanges.
2, Amy Cokayne – 9
Cokayne delivered a commanding performance, scoring England’s opening try in the 7th minute. She was flawless at the set-piece with 10 successful lineout throws, while also contributing six carries and four tackles, making her a central figure in England’s forward dominance.
Cokayne delivered a commanding performance, scoring England’s opening try in the 7th minute. She was flawless at the set-piece with 10 successful lineout throws, while also contributing six carries and four tackles, making her a central figure in England’s forward dominance.
3, Sarah Bern – 10 ⭐ Player of the Match
Bern produced a sensational display, scoring two powerful tries in the 18th and 30th minutes. She added 32 metres from 10 carries, five tackles, and a turnover, epitomising England’s physical superiority. Her decisive impact makes her a clear and deserving RUCK Player of the Match.
Bern produced a sensational display, scoring two powerful tries in the 18th and 30th minutes. She added 32 metres from 10 carries, five tackles, and a turnover, epitomising England’s physical superiority. Her decisive impact makes her a clear and deserving RUCK Player of the Match.
4, Morwenna Talling – 6
Talling contributed five carries and four tackles before her involvement was cut short by a nasty-looking injury after 43 minutes. While her time on the field was solid, the early exit limited her overall impact on the contest.
Talling contributed five carries and four tackles before her involvement was cut short by a nasty-looking injury after 43 minutes. While her time on the field was solid, the early exit limited her overall impact on the contest.
5, Lilli Ives Campion – 8
A dominant presence at the set-piece, Ives Campion secured nine lineouts and claimed a lineout steal, ensuring England enjoyed consistent possession. She also contributed five carries and four tackles, playing a crucial role in the pack’s effectiveness.
A dominant presence at the set-piece, Ives Campion secured nine lineouts and claimed a lineout steal, ensuring England enjoyed consistent possession. She also contributed five carries and four tackles, playing a crucial role in the pack’s effectiveness.
6, Maddie Feaunati – 7
Feaunati delivered a balanced back-row performance, carrying five times for 16 metres and contributing defensively, including a turnover. Her physical presence supported England’s control at the breakdown.
Feaunati delivered a balanced back-row performance, carrying five times for 16 metres and contributing defensively, including a turnover. Her physical presence supported England’s control at the breakdown.
7, Sadia Kabeya – 8
Kabeya was a defensive standout, leading the effort with eight tackles and adding six carries for 24 metres along with a turnover. Her relentless energy disrupted Ireland’s attacking momentum throughout the match.
Kabeya was a defensive standout, leading the effort with eight tackles and adding six carries for 24 metres along with a turnover. Her relentless energy disrupted Ireland’s attacking momentum throughout the match.
8, Alex Matthews – 8
Matthews provided powerful ball-carrying from the base, making 10 carries for 49 metres and completing five tackles. Her physicality consistently generated front-foot ball and maintained England’s territorial advantage.
Matthews provided powerful ball-carrying from the base, making 10 carries for 49 metres and completing five tackles. Her physicality consistently generated front-foot ball and maintained England’s territorial advantage.
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Meet the glam partners cheering on England at the 2026 Six Nations
England’s Red Roses continue to dominate the international stage, but behind many of the squad’s biggest stars are equally inspiring partners offering unwavering support.
From rugby romances and Olympic love stories to growing families and cross-border relationships, here’s a look at the glamorous partners cheering on England during the 2026 Six Nations.
Zoe Aldcroft & Luke Stratford
World Cup-winning captain Zoe Aldcroft shares a heartwarming rugby romance with her husband, Luke Stratford. The pair first met outside a nightclub in Gloucester, but their relationship truly blossomed when Luke cleverly booked physio sessions at the same time as Zoe before they officially got together.
Zoe Aldcroft & Luke Stratford
World Cup-winning captain Zoe Aldcroft shares a heartwarming rugby romance with her husband, Luke Stratford. The pair first met outside a nightclub in Gloucester, but their relationship truly blossomed when Luke cleverly booked physio sessions at the same time as Zoe before they officially got together.
The couple tied the knot in June 2024 at Hackness Grange in Scarborough. Zoe shared snaps of their special day on Instagram, captioning the post: “The best day of my life with the absolute love of my life.”
Their bond is strengthened by a shared love of rugby. Luke currently serves as the Women’s Scrum Coach at Sale Sharks, having previously coached Leicester Tigers Women.
Although Aldcroft was named England captain earlier in the year, she will miss the 2026 Six Nations as the couple prepare to welcome their first child. Speaking on the England Rugby Podcast: O2 Inside Line, she revealed that Luke was one of the first people she called after learning of her captaincy.
Hannah Botterman & Georgia Evans
Loosehead prop Hannah Botterman has found love across the Severn Bridge with Wales international Georgia Evans. Following her reported split from fellow Red Roses star Holly Aitchison, fans began speculating about the relationship after Evans was spotted supporting England during the recent tournament—most notably wearing a Red Roses shirt during the final.
The rumours have since been confirmed, with the cross-border couple now officially an item, proving that rugby rivalries stop at the touchline.
Ellie Kildunne
England’s electric full-back Ellie Kildunne is currently embracing the single life after confirming her split from long-term partner Cameron Sommerville-Bailey just before the Six Nations.
The pair had been together for around five years, and Kildunne described the separation as amicable, explaining that she “still loves him to pieces,” even joking that cleaning her boots was “his love language.”
When asked whether there was someone new in her life, Kildunne was quick to shut down speculation, replying: “No, there is not.” For now, the Red Roses star is focusing fully on her flourishing rugby career as she heads into another Six Nations campaign.
Celia Quansah & Meg Jones
Few love stories in rugby are as inspiring as that of Celia Quansah and Meg Jones. The pair met at Loughborough University, where Quansah transitioned from athletics to rugby, and their friendship soon blossomed into romance.
Jones admitted in an interview with Team GB that it wasn’t exactly love at first sight: “I actually didn’t really fancy Celia. As I got to know her, she was so kind, empathetic and compassionate… The more we spoke, the more I started to fancy her and love her more. We realised we are soulmates.”
Together, they have enjoyed glittering careers in rugby sevens, representing Great Britain at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and playing club rugby for Wasps, making them one of the sport’s true power couples.
Jess Breach & Archie White
Saracens winger Jess Breach has been in a long-term relationship with Harlequins forward Archie White for more than five years.
The rugby duo have supported each other through the highs and lows of elite sport, including navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking to Talking Rugby Union, Breach explained: “We isolated together when bubbles were introduced last year, but it made us stronger and I think the dedication we have in rugby as players can reflect a lot of other things such as a relationship.”
The pair are frequently seen cheering each other on from the sidelines, embodying the true spirit of rugby partnership.
Marlie Packer & Rosie Galligan
England stars Marlie Packer and Rosie Galligan are not only teammates but also partners in life.
The couple recently got engaged during a romantic lakeside picnic, with Galligan sharing the moment on Instagram and captioning it: “The easiest yes in the world. Forever and always.”
Packer is already a proud mother to her son, Oliver, from a previous relationship, and Galligan has embraced family life seamlessly.
Adding to the excitement, the couple are now expecting their first child together, marking a joyful new chapter for the Red Roses pair.
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- Jordie Barrett over Damian de Allende is far from being correct. The hype around Dupont is also overreaching, he's probably 4th in the world and has been since the 2023 WC. He also avoids certain matchups which is strange. The rest of the list is pretty good apart from minor subjective biases.JasonMarlow16-09-2026
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