London (AFP) - World champions England launched their Women’s Six Nations title defence with a comfortable, if not completely convincing, 33-12 win over Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.

France, long England’s main European challengers, ran in five tries after half-time to rout Italy 40-7 in Grenoble, while Scotland saw off Wales 24-19 in Cardiff.

England scored five tries in front of a crowd of 77,120 – a record for a Women’s Six Nations fixture – in what was their first match since they beat Canada 33-13 in the World Cup final at Twickenham in September.

An England side showing eight changes to the team that started the World Cup final, with four players missing through pregnancy, were not at their best.

But this bonus-point success still extended their record winning run to 34 games, with the Red Roses chasing an eighth straight Six Nations title and fifth consecutive Grand Slam.

Victory came at a cost for England with lock Morwenna Taling suffering a serious injury and replacement scrum-half Natasha Hunt also leaving the field.

“It was a real arm-wrestle and a real clunky stop-start match,” England coach John Mitchell told the BBC.

“We had to deal with unexpected injuries and we have lost another international lock and possibly a great nine (scrum-half) as well, so you might see England full-backs all as back rows by the end of the competition.

“When we stuck to the plan we were very good, we were persistent and patience.”

Ireland were thrashed 49-5 by England in last season’s Championship. But they scored two late tries to share Saturday’s second half 12-12 after England led 21-0 at the break.

“I am really encouraged with the spirit the Irish girls showed at the end,” said Ireland coach Scott Bemand.

England ran in three first-half tries, hooker Amy Cokayne opening the scoring and prop Sarah Bern crossing twice against an error-strewn Ireland.

They should have had another try on the stroke of half-time but star full-back Ellie Kildunne dropped the ball as she went over the line.

The England backs did get in on the act in the 54th minute when wing Jess Breach scored her 54th try in as many Tests after a kick ahead by new captain Meg Jones, leading England for the first time in the absence of pregnant World Cup-winning skipper Zoe Stratford.

Ireland replacement forward Anna McGann pulled a try back in the 65th minute only for Kildunne to atone for her earlier error moments later by finishing a flowing move.

Erin King marked her debut match as Ireland captain with a try seven minutes from time.

- Nelson’s triumph -

France overcame a sluggish first half to put away Italy to give new coach Francois Ratier a winning start.

“We expected it to be tricky from the outset, especially at the start of the tournament. it was to be expected that we’d have a few hiccups,” said Ratier.

Scotland were firm favourites in Cardiff, having thrashed Wales 38-8 during last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, but they were made to work hard for their win.

Both sides scored three tries each but Scotland fly-half Helen Nelson’s goal-kicking proved decisive, the fly-half landing three conversions and a penalty.

“It was a little bit tight at the end, we got our defensive play in finally,” said Nelson.

Defeat left Wales still searching for their first Women’s Six Nations win since April 2023.