Amy Cokayne powers England to opening Six Nations win against Ireland

• England 33-12 Ireland

• Victory marred by injuries to Talling and Hunt

If people in Edinburgh see glasses of water shaking, trees being shoved to the floor and massive footprints on the ground next week do not be alarmed, it is just the Women’s Six Nations giants of England coming to town. While the Red Roses continued their dominance, Ireland showed they had narrowed the gap as they cut England’s winning margin to 21 points from 44 in last year’s tournament.

England were dealt two blows mid-match, with the experienced scrum-half Natasha Hunt injured and, more significant, the talismanic lock Morwenna Talling carried off. The extent of the injuries is yet to be confirmed, but if Talling is ruled out for the rest of the competition the England head coach, John Mitchell, could start having a selection headache, with five forwards already missing because of injury and pregnancy.