Full Ireland player ratings as they put in valiant effort against England

Ireland tore into England in a pulsating first-half, taking a five-nil and retiring at the break five-seven behind. Considering Ireland were beaten by 78 points last season, there were definite signs that this is a team improving quickly and fast becoming tough to play against. England would go on to pull away, ultimately winning 49-5 but there will be optimism that they are going in the right direction. Here is how the players rated. Player Ratings Stacey Flood - Kept her eye on the money pass, making a try-saving tackle at the start of the second-half. Full-back whose sense of positioning has been improving exponentially. 7Anna McGann - Ireland first-half was a defensive masterclass but not so much in the second as an early yellow card was exploited by England who got numbers into wide channels. 6Aoife Dalton - Won't enjoy the Monday review of a careless offside that gave England a penalty 50 yards back up the field and from which 5-0 became 5-7. Combative all through. 7Eve Higgins -...