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.
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.
Even though England were not at their best, this success extended their record winning run to 34 games, with the Red Roses chasing an eighth straight Six Nations title and fifth consecutive Grand Slam.
But given England thrashed Ireland 49-5 in last season's Championship, this result represented a much-improved display by the women in green.
England ran in three tries in the first half to lead 21-0 at the break, with hooker Amy Cokayne opening the scoring and prop Sarah Bern crossing twice against an error-strewn Ireland.
And they should have had a try on the stroke of halftime, but star full-back Ellie Kildunne dropped the ball as she went over the line.
But the England backs did get in on the act 14 minutes into the second half when wing Jess Breach scored her 54th try in as many tests after a kick ahead by new Red Roses captain Meg Jones.
Ireland replacement forward Anna McGann pulled a try back in the 65th minute to cut England's advantage to 28-5.
But moments later Kildunne made amends for her earlier error by finishing a flowing move with a stutter-step that saw her beat the last defender.
Helena Rowland missed her first conversion in five attempts but England were in command at 33-5.
But seven minutes from time Erin King, in her debut match as Ireland captain, powered over from close range for the visitors' second try.
That England were not at their fluent best may have had something to do with a combination of injury, four pregnancies and the retirement of wing Abby Dow which lead coach John Mitchell to make eight changes to their starting team from the World Cup final.
Dow was replaced by Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, who faced her wife, Ireland hooker Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald, in a test for the first time.
Earlier, France – long England's main European challengers – ran in six tries during a 40-7 thrashing of Italy in Grenoble.
Wales face Scotland in Cardiff on Saturday evening.