Ireland player ratings v England | 2026 Women's Six Nations

It was a difficult day at the office for Scott Bemand’s team against the reigning world champions England at Twickenham, but despite the unforced errors and sloppy first half, the second half did see improvement with scores from Anna McGann and Erin King.

Perhaps a crowd of over 77,000 thousand was not what the women in green are used to, but with many established and accomplished players on the pitch, it was a disappointing day for the Emerald Isle.

Here are our Ireland player ratings from round one of the 2026 Women’s Six Nations.

15. Stacey Flood – 5

A difficult afternoon. Beaten on the outside twice by an English back three that simply had more pace. The first, Vicky Elmes Kinlan bailed Ireland out of trouble with a try-saving tackle. The second will make for a tough Monday review as Ellie Kildunne scored far too easily. Flood’s blocked kick also led to Jess Breach’s try.

14. Béibhinn Parsons – 5

Quiet. A handful of strong carries, as is to be expected from Parsons, but there were some sloppy decisions on when to pass out of contact.

13. Aoife Dalton – 6

A handful of strong carries while a late line break gave Ireland a hope of a third score. Worked hard without much reward as Ireland struggled to add width to their attack.

12. Eve Higgins – 5

Another who struggled. A sloppy spill in the first half ended one Irish attack while she was fortunate a misread in defence didn’t lead to a try when Kildunne spilled over the line.

11. Vicky Elmes Kinlan – 6.5

Another who was starved of possession as Ireland struggled to get wide runners into the game. One sloppy kick in behind aside, she was solid when called into defensive action. A brilliant try-saving tackle in the first half.

10. Dannah O’Brien – 7

A strong kicking game saw plenty of ball bounce in the English backfield. Line kicking is always a strength, one effort sent dead aside. Defence can be an issue and she was targeted by some of England’s runners but she made her share of tackles.

9. Emily Lane – 6

Starved of quality ball as Ireland were plagued by slow rucks in that first half. A handful of errors but she did busy herself in defence.

1.Ellena Perry – 5.5

Perhaps harshly came out on the wrong side of the referee in the scrum. It looked like opposite number Sarah Bern set up with feet behind her, forcing scrums to collapse, but the officials deemed Perry the guilty party.

2. Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald – 7

A few lost lineouts but it can be easy to blame the hooker for system failures. Some strong chop tackles while coming up with a handful of breakdown turnovers, including one right on her own line.

3. Linda Djougang – 6

A quiet day. Looked to hold up ok for the most part in the scrum but lacked some of the carrying power that we saw against France in the World Cup. Strong defensive workload with 16 tackles.

4. Dorothy Wall – 6.5

A welcome return to international rugby after a lengthy knee injury. Wall was good in contact, a rare source of go-forward.

5. Fiona Tuite – 6

Another who had a quiet day. Will need to analyse her role in a creaking first half lineout.

6. Brittany Hogan – 6.5

Ireland’s busiest defender with 18 tackles. Made 45 metres with ball in hand. Quietly one of Ireland’s better forwards on the day.

7. Erin King – 6.5

A try and a turnover that set up another try on the occasion of her first game as captain. Another with a busy defensive day with 15 tackles.

8. Aoife Wafer – 6

Looked strong in the carry on a handful of occasions in the first half but faded after the break. Replaced with 20 minutes to go.

Replacements – 8

10 minutes into the legs of debutants Eilís Cahill and Katie Whelan – somewhat astutely introduced after the pressure of a first score was added – can only be a positive in the long run.

Grace Moore added some punch in the carry while McGann was strong with her finish for the try. That Ireland avoided England’s customary sprint into the distance towards the end of heavy victories is a testament to the group that finished the contest.