Wins for France, England and Ireland

Editor

France, England and Ireland claimed wins in the opening round of the Women's Six Nations Championship, which took place over the weekend.

Defending Women's Six Nations champions Ireland ushered in the start of a new era with a 21-3 win against Wales at Donnybrook on Saturday.

Wales had led 0-3 but that was as good as it got for visitors as Ireland ran out comfortable winners thanks to first-half tries from Sene Naoupu and Sophie Spence and 11 points from the boot of captain Niamh Briggs.

Meanwhile, Scotland's long wait for a win in the Six Nations continues for at least another week after they fell to a 32-0 home defeat to England.

The Scots, who have not won in the championship since defeating France in the opening round of the 2010 campaign, held England to a scoreless first quarter before the world champions' dominance was reflected in tries for Lauren Cattell and Harriet Millar-Mills.

Millar-Mills added her second after the break and captain Sarah Hunter and debutant Lucy Demaine also got in on the act as England registered their first away win in the championship since March 2014.

In the other game, France gained revenge for last year's loss to Italy with a convincing 39-0 win in Bourg-en-Bresse.

Hoping to go one better than their runners-up finish of last year, the French sent out a message of intent with a strong first-half display which brought them tries for Julie Billes, Audrey Forlani and captain Gaëlle Mignot.

In the second-half, a penalty try, followed by a second try from Forlani and an acrobatic finish by Elodie Poublan late on saw France cruise home.

Next weekend France are at home to Ireland while England also travel to Italy on Saturday. Sunday's solitary fixture sees Wales entertain Scotland at The Gnoll in Neath.

With thanks to World Rugby