IRELAND recorded their biggest win to date to replicate the success of the men’s team claiming the Women’s Six Nations title on points difference from France.
Captain Niamh Briggs, who earned a 50th cap, and her team crushed Scotland 73-3, in a game that they only needed to win by 27 points.
The Irish led by 34 points at half time, and they exerted dominance in the one-sided encounter, in which they also secured the Triple Crown.
Winger Alison Miller scored a hat trick of touchdowns, with Ireland registering 11 tries in the game at Broadwood Stadium. Last year’s World Cup semi-finalists have now claimed their second Six Nations championship in three seasons.
Both Ireland and France won four out of the five fixtures, with the former sealing the title on points difference of 113 to
France’s 69.
Briggs opened the scoring with a try in the fourth minute, after a series of passes with winger Hannah Tyrrell, and she added eight successful kicks to bring her points haul to 23.
Scotland winger Nuala Deans and fullback Briggs exchanged penalties before the Irish forwards dominated proceedings. Ireland’s well-controlled scrum also impressed, as Heather O’Brien got a touchdown at the rear.
Second row Sophie Spence stretched the lead further and replacement scrumhalf Tania Rosser added a try to the scoreline, before Miller completed her hat trick and centre Jenny Murphy tied up proceedings with the
final try.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted,” Briggs said after receiving the Six Nations trophy.
“What a fantastic day for us, and what a weekend for Irish rugby. It probably won’t sink in fully for a couple of weeks, but the whole squad has been amazing.”
