Ireland 0 England 48: Five tries in just 27 minutes sees Red Roses thump Ireland

ENGLAND are one win away from a fourth Grand Slam in five years after easing past Ireland.

But captain Marlie Packer is a doubt ahead of next week’s decider with France.

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Packer and prop Hannah Botterman went off with leg injuries within five minutes of each other.

England had Ireland beat by then, crossing five times in the first 27 minutes through Sarah Beckett, Tatyana Heard, Ellie Kildunne, Packer and Morwenna Talling.

After the break, they added three late scores through Amber Reed and two from Alex Matthews.

England manager Simon Middleton told the BBC when asked about Packer and Botterman’s injuries: “Both of them picked up injuries early on and we we were in a good position at that point.

“We have just got to assess them and see where they are at. It is going to be a great occasion at Twickenham and I am fortunate I get to experience another great game.

“It will only be great if we get the performance we want. We have quite a lot of work to do this week in terms of fixing people but we will be ready.”

Meanwhile, Scotland earned their first win in a year beating Italy 29-21.

Lana Skeldon and Leah Bartlett bagged two tries apiece.  

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And Coach Ioan Cunningham challenged his Wales’ stand-ins to step up against big guns France in Grenoble.

Cunningham named an experimental XV against the unbeaten French with just six days to prepare for Saturday’s potential shootout for third place against Italy.

He said: “We have made no secret that we have to build our strength in depth ahead of the next World Cup.”