Ireland fall to defeat against England in opening Women's U-20 6N clash

England U-20 33-10 Ireland U-20

Hannah Clarke showed her footballing skills to strike for a closing 70th-minute try as the Ireland Under-20 Women gave a good account of themselves against an experienced England team in Parma.

This was the first international match played by the Ireland U-20 Women, who are coached by 2013 Grand Slam winner Niamh Briggs, and with England being one of the standard bearers at this age-grade, it was always going to a difficult challenge.

The inaugural Women's Six Nations Summer Series kicked off in sweltering Italian heat. Led by two-try captain and player-of-the-match Lilli Ives Campion, England built a 26-5 half-time lead.

UL Bohemian duo Kate Flannery and Chisom Ugwueru combined for a slick 21st-minute score, with the winger, one of three U-23 players permitted in the matchday squad, displaying her Energia All-Ireland League-honed finishing abilities.

Ireland had a number of purple patches in the second half, and the full squad contributed to a fine effort which saw them score through Clarke to cancel out an earlier Lia Green score.

Flannery, Ugwueru, Ruth Campbell, and Ivana Kiripati, who all have experience of the Ireland senior set-up, led by example, and there were bright moments from some of the Under-19-eligible players, including Beth Buttimer, Clarke and Kelly Burke, who won a late turnover penalty.

While disappointed with the lopsided scoreline, the collective performance augurs well for the rest of the tournament which sees Briggs' youngsters play hosts Italy next Tuesday (kick-off 9am Irish time), and Scotland in the final round on Sunday week.

England were quick to profit from Green's 50:22 kick, as Lucy Calladine attacked off the lineout maul and offloaded for scrum half Sellors to