England's women claim Grand Slam

England Women powered to a 31-0 win over Ireland Women in County Meath to clinch a sixth consecutive Six Nations title and the Grand Slam.

Captain and fly-half Katy McLean opened the scoring for England and then converted England's second try after number eight Sarah Hunter went over.

After the break prop Rockie Clark crept in, with McLean landing the conversion, as England's forwards took control.

Two more forwards, Sophie Hemming and Margaret Alphonsi, also touched down.

McLean converted that fifth try to take the England captain's points tally to 11 as they wrapped up the title with ease.

England racked up 223 points in their five games, conceding just eight.

Coach Gary Street said: "I am absolutely delighted with this result, but most importantly the effort from the players.

"After the world cup there could have been a hangover but it is an absolute credit to the girls the way they have come back and put the work in on and off the field.

"We have challenged the players this season, we wanted them to get even better and move on from last term and they have done exactly that.

"Once again tonight not only did we score some good tries but we defended excellently. We have set another championship record in terms of points conceded [eight] and I think that is a tremendous achievement."

Ireland Women: N Briggs (UL Bohemians/Munster); N Kavanagh (UL Bohemians/Munster), L Cantwell (Richmond/Exile), G Rea (Highfield/Munster), M Kelly (UL Bohemians/Munster); N Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), L Muldoon (UWIC/Exile); F Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) (capt), G Bourke (Bristol/Munster), A Egan (Old Belvedere/Leinster), H O'Brien (Highfield/Munster), M Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere/Leinster), L Guest (Highfield/Munster), C Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), J Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster).
Replacements: L Day (Waterloo/Ulster) for Egan (half-time), J Shiels (Richmond/Leinster) for Rea (60 mins), C Staunton (Galwegians/Connacht) for Guest (72), S Kennedy (City of Derry/Ulster) for Bourke, A Davis (Blackrock/Leinster) for Muldoon, G Nolan (St. Mary's/Leinster) for Kelly (all 73), D O'Brien (Blackrock/Leinster for H O'Brien (75).

England Women: E Scarratt (Lichfield); K Merchant (Worcester), R Burford (Richmond), K Oliver (Bristol), F Matthews (Richmond); K McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) (capt), LT Mason (Wasps); R Clark (Worcester), E Croker (Richmond), S Hemming (Bristol), R Essex (Richmond), J McGilchrist (Wasps), H Fisher (Worcester), M Alphonsi (Saracens), S Hunter (Lichfield).
Replacements: C Purdy (Wasps) for Clark, C Spencer (Bristol) for Hunter (both 45 mins), G Roberts (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks) for Merchant (61), G Rozario (Lichfield) for Mason (68).

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