McGann scores first try of Ireland's Six Nations campaign

Despite a try scoring impact from Athlone's Anna McGann, Ireland were defeated 33-12 by England in their opening Women's Six Nations match at Twickenham on Saturday.

The Moydrum native was subbed onto the field on 60 minutes for Ballinasloe's Beibhinn Parsons and made her presence felt almost immediately when touching down in the corner following a five yard scrum (see video below).

The well worked try, Ireland's first in this year's tournament, offered momentary belief in Twickenham, team captain Erin King complementing McGann's try with a second touchdown on 74 minutes.

After defeats by 78 and 44 points in recent years, Ireland never let their hosts replicate such winning margins and they looked comfortable in large spells against the reigning world champions in front of a record 77,120 attendance.

McGann will be hoping her substitute performance was enough to secure a starting berth when Ireland play their first Six Nations home game against Italy in the Dexcom Stadium Galway on Saturday evening, April 18, at 5.40pm.

Ireland then travel to France in Round 3 on Saturday, April 25 (kick-off 8.10pm), before concluding their tournament with back-to-back home games in Belfast and Dublin.

Wales are the visitors to Affidea Stadium on Saturday, May 9 (kick-off 6.30pm), before Scotland come to the Aviva Stadium on the final weekend on Sunday, May 17 (kick-off 2.30pm).