England's Jones and Bern Identify Areas for Improvement After Convincing Win

Despite securing a 33-12 victory over Ireland in their Women's Six Nations opener, England's Megan Jones and Sarah Bern acknowledged that there is still room for improvement. The win marked England's 34th consecutive Test victory, with Bern scoring two tries and Amy Cockayne, Jess Breach, and Ellie Kildunne each contributing one. However, Jones noted that the team was not at its best, citing pre-match nerves as a factor. "Given the high stakes of this campaign following our World Cup success, some nervousness was to be expected," Jones remarked. "We've always wanted to perform in front of large crowds, and today we had that opportunity. We found a way to win, which is what defines a successful team. I'm sure we'll refine our performance, but I'm incredibly proud of the team." Jones led the team in the absence of World Cup-winning captain Zoe Stratford, who is expecting her first child. Reflecting on her experience, Jones said, "I'll likely take some time to think about it tonight. Walking out of the tunnel was incredible, with the crowd and the national anthem." With only seven players from England's World Cup-winning team participating, Bern recognized that the new-look side would need time to gel. "We have a new mix of players and a lot of young talent, so we didn't expect perfection," Bern said. "There were aspects to celebrate and areas we'll reflect on, but the stadium atmosphere was fantastic and helped us secure the win."