Rochelle Clark marked her record-breaking 115th international cap with the game's opening try as England's late surge secured a 12-10 victory over Ireland at University College Dublin.
Worcester Valkyries prop Clark, 35, who has overtaken male counterpart Jason Leonard to become England's most-capped player, touched down six minutes before the interval, driving over after Vicky Fleetwood had been hauled down five metres short of the line.
Ireland hit back through fly-half Nora Stapleton's penalty on the stroke of half-time and edged into the lead in the second half as the same player jinked her way over for a try she converted.
But world champions England refused to buckle and levelled the scores late on when Izzy Noel-Smith went over, with Katy Mclean converting from out wide to clinch the visitors a hard-fought win.
England, who have moved up to number two in the world rankings ahead of Canada, have now won four of their last five meetings with Ireland.
Simon Middleton's side take on New Zealand on Saturday at Twickenham Stoop in the second match of the Old Mutual Wealth Series and then face Canada at Twickenham on November 26, live on Sky Sports.