Drennan Team England take the lead with 10pts after Day One of the Home International on Ireland’s brilliant Newry Canal.

Scotland are just behind on 14.5pts, with Ireland on 20pts and Wales on 25.5pts.

Each of the four home nations has fielded seven anglers, which are a mixture of youth and experience.

The fishing has been exceptionally good with lots of small roach and perch throughout, plus the odd better bonus skimmer, perch and hybrid. Average weights have been around the 5kg mark, which is excellent sport in just four hours fishing.

As expected, the two ends have been best with slightly better fish showing, although bonus hybrids have appeared throughout.

James Dent did really well in practice and has lead the way with an impressive 11kg in four hours from peg G3. Not bad for his England senior debut!

Will Raison was arguably the next stand out performance with a really busy day on small fish for a section winning 7kg. Matt Derry, Simon Willsmore and Cameron Hughes also won their sections. Alan Scotthorne was just pipped to 2nd in F Section by Scotland’s Stuart Dalgleish and despite catching over 250 fish for 7kg Lee Kerry found himself behind Scotland’s James Woodrow and Ireland’s up and coming 17 year old James O’Doherty, who put quality 8kg catches together.

It was a really windy start to the day and pole fishing anywhere from six to 13m in depths from 10ft to 15ft was required. Rather than throwing in balls at the start, most chose to carefully cup in balls of feed containing joker, maggots, casters and pinkies, with bloodworm, maggots and pinkies best on the hook.

The canal has fished really well and, perhaps as important, a number of new faces have gained valuable international experience.

Although a bit of rain is forecast we expect Day Two to fish just as good. We will keep you posted!

Day One:
1st England 10pts
2nd Scotland 14.5pts
3rd Ireland 20pts
4th Wales 25.5pts