England battled through the rain-soaked and muddy conditions to overcome a spirited Ireland side 22-5 on Sunday and keep their hopes of a record fifth successive RBS Women's Six Nations on track.
The only side capable of claiming the Grand Slam, England had not conceded a point in seeing off the challenges of Wales and Italy in the two previous rounds, but Ireland were always going to pose a big challenge.
Unfortunately for Ireland, their hopes of a first ever victory over England took a big hit in the opening six minutes when first flanker Maggie Alphonsi and then centre Emily Scarratt touched down to put the hosts 12-0 ahead.
Ireland, to their credit, recovered and enjoyed some success with their driving maul, putting England under pressure and forcing them to give away penalties, the visitors kicking for touch and eventually getting their reward with second row Kate O'Loughlin driven over the try-line.
Saving best for England
Try as they might, neither side could find a way through so the score remained 12-5 at half time. The pattern continued after the break, although England began to build momentum and the pressure finally told with Claire Allan scoring her side's third try.
England's final try came a little against the run of play, a turnover allowing Rachael Burford and teenager Scarratt to make ground before finding replacement scrum half Amy Turner to score and put the result beyond doubt.
"Ireland seem to save everything they have to throw at us and that is what they did today," admitted assistant coach Graham Smith. "They were very difficult conditions but our scrum and lineout were good and certainly the forwards, who enjoy these sorts of conditions, were beaming when they came off the pitch."
Despite a second successive loss in the Six Nations, Ireland coach Kevin West found plenty of positives from the performance, although he acknowledged the final margin should have been far closer.
"If you gift England 12 points it's an uphill battle," admitted West. "But then I was really proud of the girls as after that we got into the type of game that we wanted to play in this particular match and I think we just about owned the next 30 minutes.
Plenty to work on
"Where England are really good is that they capitalise on mistakes. We tired a little bit and made two or three critical errors and we'll be very annoyed with the tries we gave away in the second half. We should have been closer."
West, though, knows there is still plenty to work on before Ireland meet the same opponents on the opening day of Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford on 20 August.
"It's [the scrum] an area that's already been highlighted to us and during the summer we've got intensive work to do on it, which we will do, especially as we have new girls coming in.
"We want to be known for more than the kicking and mauling team and we are capable of more. We tailored our tactics a little bit for England and we're developing the maul, but we're also developing quite an intensive running game.
"But again our problem is time. We take the Six Nations very seriously, but we are building towards the World Cup and that is what's in front of us."
France capitalise on Welsh errors
England's third victory gives them a two-point advantage over France in the standings, a side they will meet on the final weekend. France suffered a surprise opening loss to Scotland, but continued their recovery with a 15-3 victory over Wales in Bridgend.
Full back Non Evans gave Wales a slender half time advantage with a penalty, but France would have turned round in the lead had fly half Aurelie Bailon been able to find her range in front of the posts at the Brewery Field.
France, helped by a number of errors from the home side, took control in the second half with Caroline Ladagnous and Sandrine Agricole scoring the tries and Bailon kicking one conversion and a penalty to leave Wales coach Jason Lewis disappointed at the final whistle.
"It was a poor performance and everyone is understandably disappointed," admitted Lewis. "We need to be beating sides like that if we are where we think we are in the world game.
"It will be interesting to see how we respond to this when we go to Ireland [on 12 March]. I would like to think we can strike back with a victory and a decent performance too.
"We are off track in terms of our Six Nations ambitions, but I will be happy to accept wherever we finish in this tournament providing we learn the lessons of today's game."
Honours shared in Italy
The weekend's other match saw Scotland come from behind in the second half with two penalties from replacement Sarah Gill securing a 6-6 draw with Italy at the Stadio Maurizio Natali in Colleferro.
Two penalties from fly half Veronica Schiavon had given Italy, the only side in the Six Nations not participating in Women's Rugby World Cup 2010, a 6-0 advantage at half time in their quest for a first win this season.
However Scotland came out with renewed conviction and managed to draw level, but despite Italy missing a penalty attempt which could have won them the match it was the visitors who went away disappointed with the draw.
"The first 40 minutes were poor and we didn't get into the game at all," admitted Scotland coach Gary Parker. "However, we responded to that with probably the best 20 minutes we've had, at the start of the second half, moving the ball well and executing good moves.
"We faced a lot of challenges during the match, we lost our hooker early in the first half and both wingers went off injured at the same time, but we managed to turn the game around at 6-0 down. After three Six Nations game we've posted just one defeat, but this was an opportunity missed and we're disappointed with a draw."
The Women's Six Nations resume on 12 March when Ireland host Wales at Ashbourne RFC, a day before Scotland take on England at Meggetland and Italy travel to Montpellier to face France.
