WELCOME TO TODAY’S liveblog from the Aviva Stadium as Ireland close their 2021 Six Nations campaign against England. After four successive wins in this derby, England are strongly favoured to stretch that sequence to five, the presence of Billy Vunipola rekindling memories of previous encounters at both Twickenham and Lansdowne Road.
Somehow Eddie Jones’ side have won just two of their four games in this year’s championship, which is scarcely believable when you consider the quality of their display against France last Saturday. No game in this championship has come near that one in terms of quality but despite their potential to be brilliant, England also have the capacity to underwhelm. Think Scotland. Or Wales. Or before that, South Africa.
Not that Ireland can be too sniffy about underwhelming performances. Their attack has lacked zip, their defence is missing bite. But for the quality of their defensive line-out and the ability of Johnny Sexton to defy his age, and his nerves, they’d be one win from four heading into this fixture.
As it is, their season is still on the line. Victory makes it a reasonable campaign, defeat a poor one. Can they do it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Here are the teams for today’s fixture – with Ross Byrne a late replacement for replacement outhalf, Billy Burns.
There is some great reading on The42 site ahead of today’s game with Murray Kinsella, our rugby correspondent, profiling CJ Stander here, who is playing his final international for Ireland today.
As he gets set for his final appearance in the green jersey with a 65% win rate, a Grand Slam, two wins over the All Blacks, and a series success in Australia behind him, no one can question Stander’s commitment or success as an Ireland player.
Murray also sets the scene for today’s clash here, suggesting even Ireland’s best might not be good enough if Jones’ men fully fire.
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Finally, Ciaran Kennedy spoke here to Jacob Stockdale ahead of today’s game, reminding us how the Ulsterman stormed into international rugby in his first season.
ST PATRICK’S DAY in London, 2018. Ireland are Grand Slam champions and Jacob Stockdale is at the absolute top of his game. His superb solo try in that 24-15 win leaves him on seven tries for the campaign. No player had ever scored more across the five games of a Six Nations championship.
Stockdale was 21 and had played just nine times for Ireland. Comic book stuff.
20 Mar 2021
4:06PM
Andy Farrell, meanwhile, has been speaking to Virgin Media ahead of kick-off.
"This has to be the biggest and best performance of our campaign."
1: England and Ireland have met 137 times, England winning 80 of those games, Ireland 49 with eight games ending in a draw.
2: England’s starting XV has 769 caps, Ireland 694.
3: Johnny Sexton is Ireland’s most capped player on show today, with 98 appearances in green; Ben Youngs, with 108 caps, is the most experienced on the England side.
4: England have the heavier pack. Theirs weighs 142 stone, nine pounds; Ireland come in at 141 stone, 10 pounds.
5: Both Tadhg Beirne and Charlie Ewels are the tallest players on the pitch, each standing at 6 foot, 6 inches.
It means we are only 10 months away from hearing how Italy have so many good, young players coming through and if we are patient, then they will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.
They have not won a game in the Six Nations since 2015.
We are up and running, Conor Murray finds a good touch.
20 Mar 2021
4:55PM
Itoje claims the first lineout of the day. And the ball goes into the air as Eddie Jones predicted. Ah, it was Ben Youngs who put it up there.
20 Mar 2021
4:56PM
2 minutes - Ireland spin the ball wide for the first time since about the Ice Age. Nothing comes from it but still, it is better than kicking the leather out of the ball.
20 Mar 2021
4:58PM
3 minutes
Right, so England have received the ball four times ….. and kicked it four times. Eddie Jones’ pre-match guff is as predictable as his team’s tactics.
20 Mar 2021
4:59PM
4 minutes First scrum of the game and it goes well for Ireland’s pack. They run it, but Bundee Aki is run into touch.
20 Mar 2021
5:00PM
6 minutes Elliot Daly’s kick goes out on the full. England have kicked the ball more often than Ireland in the opening six minutes.
20 Mar 2021
5:02PM
7 minutes Penalty goes England’s way after Itoje does some serious work at the breakdown. England are in the Irish 22.
20 Mar 2021
5:02PM
Another penalty goes England’s way, this time within Owen Farrell’s range. He is lining up a shot at goal, Ireland penalised at the lineout.
20 Mar 2021
5:03PM
9 MINUTES PENALTY ENGLAND (FARRELL)
Ireland 0-3 England
Farrell lands a tidy kick.
20 Mar 2021
5:06PM
10 minutes Billy Vunipola smothered by a collection of Irish tacklers, George Ford kicks deep into the Ireland half, Stockdale hesitates, Hugo Keenan is subsequently penalised and England have their fourth penalty of the day. They go to the corner. Itoje gathers and goes to the line but is held up. England have a five-metre scrum.
20 Mar 2021
5:08PM
13 minutes England’s scrum is pinged; free kick to Ireland, Sexton finds touch.
England have had 70 per cent possession so far.
20 Mar 2021
5:09PM
14 minutes England’s lineout is working well, Robbie Henshaw is working tirelessly, putting a huge tackle in on George Ford. Best moment of the game so far for Ireland.
20 Mar 2021
5:11PM
16 minutes Robbie Henshaw hits Daly with the best tackle that Lansdowne Road has seen since Roy Keane put Marc Overmars on his ass. Penalty, Ireland. Sexton will nail this from in front of the posts.
20 Mar 2021
5:12PM
17 minutes England 3-3 Ireland (Sexton)
Penalty from just inside the 22 is easily slotted over.
20 Mar 2021
5:13PM
19 minutes Ireland claim the restart and Murray boxkicks – okay then, Eddie Jones may have had a point.
20 Mar 2021
5:14PM
19 minutes Bundee Aki makes a key catch in the Ireland 22 after some hesitancy from Conor Murray. Aki’s work saves a certain try. Meanwhile, Dave Kilcoyne looks hurt; Cian Healy set to be called in.
20 Mar 2021
5:18PM
22 minutes TRY IRELAND (EARLS)
Robbie Henshaw has just put in another superb tackle, as Ireland again, are placed under pressure.
Then comes a superb try, Herring with a great throw, Conan with the catch and superb pass, Earls bursts through, steps off his left foot to leave Jonny May chasing his shadow. Ireland are 8-3 up.
20 Mar 2021
5:20PM
23 minutes Ireland 10-3 England (Sexton conversion)
Fine kick from Sexton from a tight angle; Ireland have a seven-point lead and that score from Earls, is, by some distance, the best moment yet of the Farrell era. A superb score.
Great catch from Hugo Keenan to start things off; Daly outjumped; the play moves out to the opposing flank, Stockdale makes yards, Sexton keeps possession, Murray makes smart choices and Conan follows up to score a magnificent try.
20 Mar 2021
5:28PM
37 minutes Ireland 20-6 England (Sexton conversion)
Superb kick from Sexton, again from a tight angle.
20 Mar 2021
5:29PM
38 minutes
Ireland win a penalty after Owen Farrell is penalised, the fifth penalty England have conceded after Ireland were pinged for the first four penalties of the afternoon. Sexton kicks to touch.
20 Mar 2021
5:32PM
HALF TIME IRELAND 20-6 ENGLAND
Brilliant first half from Ireland. They struggled initially but defended brilliantly and then found a way into the game via Earls’ try, which started on the training ground and was transferred superbly here onto the field.
Conan’s second try was also a fine team effort – Keenan and Stockdale making crucial contributions, so too Murray and Sexton. Iain Henderson and Robbie Henshaw have been exceptional; England, surely, will have their moments in the second half but that was great stuff from Ireland.
Finally the thoughts of Ruadhri O’Connor, from the Irish Independent.
Best 40 minutes of rugby this team has produced since 2018, they might regret kicking that into touch at the end while they'd England on the racks but some really encouraging stuff
They've a habit of switching off for 20 min periods after half-time, can't happen here
Great image here of Jack Conan’s try by the peerless, James Crombie.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
20 Mar 2021
5:45PM
Teams are coming out now for the second half.
Fourteen points, is that a big enough lead? Let us know your thoughts below.
20 Mar 2021
5:47PM
41 minutes Ireland 20-6 England
Mako and Cowan-Dickie are off; Genge and George are on for England. Sexton, meanwhile, finds a good touch; England counter and Keith Earls gets smothered in possession. England win a penalty.
20 Mar 2021
5:47PM
Farrell kicks to the corner. They are chasing things already.
20 Mar 2021
5:48PM
PENALTY IRELAND
Pressure relieved after England commit a technical error at the lineout, their chance to set the tone for the half disappearing within seconds.
20 Mar 2021
5:49PM
43 minutes Ireland 20-6 England
Penalty, Ireland. Itoje penalised for offside; Sexton kicks the ball deep into the England half, just outside their 22.
20 Mar 2021
5:51PM
44 minutes, Ireland 20-6 England
Herring’s throw is off; England kick clear; aerial ping ping ensues, Hugo Keenan and Robbie Henshaw do fine work but Daly’s swerving kick is excellent and the play has moved into the Ireland 22. Herring to throw. Beirne gathers; Murray clears.
20 Mar 2021
5:53PM
47 minutes Ireland 20-6 England
Penalty Ireland, again won at the breakdown after Beirne does some superb work. He is going to be a Lion this summer; so too Henderson, Keenan, Henshaw, Stander. You can add your own thoughts to this discussion below.
20 Mar 2021
5:54PM
49 minutes TRY IRELAND (EARLS)
20 Mar 2021
5:54PM
TMO checking it out
20 Mar 2021
5:55PM
Question is being asked whether Iain Henderson knocked the ball on in midfield.
20 Mar 2021
5:56PM
Try disallowed – Cian Healy had knocked the ball on, Henderson’s effort ruled okay by the TMO. Tough on Earls, who finished brilliantly in the corner after Sexton’s crosskick.
Still, Ireland have a penalty. Sexton points to the posts.
20 Mar 2021
5:57PM
50 minutes PENALTY IRELAND (SEXTON) Ireland 23-6 England
Sexton kicks his 21st penalty from 22 attempts in this championship.
20 Mar 2021
5:58PM
Robbie Henshaw claims the restart. He is having a stormer.
20 Mar 2021
5:59PM
CJ Stander and Tadhg Beirne go for a Curry together. Ireland win another turnover. This is going better for Andy Farrell than anyone – this writer included – predicted.
20 Mar 2021
6:01PM
53 minutes – Ireland 23-6 England
Fine counter attack from Daly leads to an England penalty, Jack Conan penalised for offside. Ford kicks to touch; England win the lineout. Maul gains yards, play is just outside the Ireland 22 when Vunipola goes on a charge. Ball moves to midfield where Genge, then Marchand carry it forward. May carries next; then van der Flier steals the ball off Billy Vunipola.
20 Mar 2021
6:03PM
55 minutes Ireland 23-6 England
Owen Farrell has gone off for a Head Injury Assessment.
20 Mar 2021
6:04PM
So, 25 minutes remain. Ireland appear to be in control but you still half-expect a late sting from England in this game.
Ireland win a scrum penalty off England’s feed. They celebrate like they’ve just won the World Cup.
In other news, Iain Henderson has been immense this afternoon.
Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
20 Mar 2021
6:12PM
63 minutes Ireland 26-6 England
Correction to my earlier post; so Sexton’s penalty has left Ireland 20 points clear. There are 17 minutes left on the clock.
20 Mar 2021
6:13PM
63 minutes RED CARD to Bundee Aki
Aki makes contact with Vunipola’s head with his shoulder. So 17 minutes, 20 point lead, 14 versus 15.
20 Mar 2021
6:14PM
Ryan Baird has replaced Iain Henderson.
20 Mar 2021
6:14PM
64 minutes TRY ENGLAND (BEN YOUNGS)
20 Mar 2021
6:16PM
65 minutes – Ireland 26-11 England
Daly misses the conversion which could be crucial – as the momentum of the game has changed dramatically. 14-man Ireland have 15 minutes to hang in there.
20 Mar 2021
6:18PM
PENALTY IRELAND
Beirne picks up an injury after some great Irish play; the 14 men have won a penalty within a kickable position for Sexton.
20 Mar 2021
6:20PM
68 minutes PENALTY IRELAND (SEXTON) Ireland 29-11 England
This is a crucial penalty, extending Ireland’s lead to 18 points, meaning England now need three tries and two conversions to get the win, here. With 12 minutes remaining, Ireland should have enough points banked to win this.
20 Mar 2021
6:22PM
70 minutes Ireland win another penalty; Sexton kicks to touch. They are managing the game well.
20 Mar 2021
6:22PM
Another penalty to Ireland. Sexton could kick this with his weaker foot.
20 Mar 2021
6:24PM
72 minutes Ireland 32-11 England (Sexton, penalty)
Sexton has now scored eight from eight today. This is Ireland’s highest score against England in 14 years.
20 Mar 2021
6:26PM
74 minutes England win a penalty and run it. They move into the Ireland 22. England win another penalty – this time inside the Ireland 22. Daly kicks to the corner.
20 Mar 2021
6:30PM
YELLOW CARD CONOR MURRAY
Ireland now have 13 men. The good news is they have only two minutes and 42 seconds to hold on to their 21-point lead
20 Mar 2021
6:30PM
78 minutes Ireland 21-11 England
Robbie Henshaw is the official player of the match.
20 Mar 2021
6:32PM
TRY ENGLAND (MAY)
20 Mar 2021
6:33PM
Ireland 32-18 England (DALY CONVERSION)
May scores an easy try; 13 men are never going to hold out against 15. Still, 50 seconds remain. Ireland have this won.
20 Mar 2021
6:34PM
FULL TIME IRELAND 32-18 ENGLAND
Ireland retain possession in the final minute. They have seen this game out magnificently.
Well, that was just incredible from Ireland, a performance built on courage and intelligence. After England’s initial onslaught, they managed to stay in the game, Robbie Henshaw delivering a brilliant defensive display.
The game then turned on Keith Earls’ try – a big win for attack coach, Mike Catt, who has been heavily criticised in this championship. From that moment on, Ireland’s confidence soared while England, once again, fell apart.
The coach now under pressure is Eddie Jones rather than Andy Farrell. He can be content with his week’s work, his team selection was vindicated, his tactics worked out. So many Irish players impressed today: Henshaw, Sexton, Murray, Keenan, Conan, Stander, Beirne, Henderson, Furlong, Healy, Herring.
In fact, you could just name the entire team and you wouldn’t be far wrong. It was the best performance of the Farrell era, the best by an Irish team since they defeated the All Blacks in November 2018.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
68 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
As it happened: Ireland v England, Six Nations championship
WELCOME TO TODAY’S liveblog from the Aviva Stadium as Ireland close their 2021 Six Nations campaign against England. After four successive wins in this derby, England are strongly favoured to stretch that sequence to five, the presence of Billy Vunipola rekindling memories of previous encounters at both Twickenham and Lansdowne Road.
Somehow Eddie Jones’ side have won just two of their four games in this year’s championship, which is scarcely believable when you consider the quality of their display against France last Saturday. No game in this championship has come near that one in terms of quality but despite their potential to be brilliant, England also have the capacity to underwhelm. Think Scotland. Or Wales. Or before that, South Africa.
Not that Ireland can be too sniffy about underwhelming performances. Their attack has lacked zip, their defence is missing bite. But for the quality of their defensive line-out and the ability of Johnny Sexton to defy his age, and his nerves, they’d be one win from four heading into this fixture.
As it is, their season is still on the line. Victory makes it a reasonable campaign, defeat a poor one. Can they do it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Here are the teams for today’s fixture – with Ross Byrne a late replacement for replacement outhalf, Billy Burns.
Ireland:
15. Hugo Keenan
14. Keith Earls
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Johnny Sexton (captain)
9. Conor Murray
1. Dave Kilcoyne
2. Rob Herring
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Iain Henderson
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. CJ Stander
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Jack Conan
Replacements:
16. Rónan Kelleher
17. Cian Healy
18. Andrew Porter
19. Ryan Baird
20. Peter O’Mahony
21. Jamison Gibson-Park
22. Ross Byrne
23. Jordan Larmour
England:
15. Max Malins
14. Anthony Watson
13. Elliot Daly
12. Owen Farrell (captain)
11. Jonny May
10. George Ford
9. Ben Youngs
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Maro Itoje
5. Charlie Ewels
6. Mark Wilson
7. Tom Curry
8. Billy Vunipola
Replacements:
16. Jamie George
17. Ellis Genge
18. Will Stuart
19. Jonny Hill
20. Ben Earl
21. Dan Robson
22. Ollie Lawrence
23. Joe Marchant
Referee: Mathieu Raynal [FFR]
Assistant referees: Mike Adamson [SRU] and Craig Evans [WRU]
TMO: Romain Poite [FFR].
There is some great reading on The42 site ahead of today’s game with Murray Kinsella, our rugby correspondent, profiling CJ Stander here, who is playing his final international for Ireland today.
As he gets set for his final appearance in the green jersey with a 65% win rate, a Grand Slam, two wins over the All Blacks, and a series success in Australia behind him, no one can question Stander’s commitment or success as an Ireland player.
Murray also sets the scene for today’s clash here, suggesting even Ireland’s best might not be good enough if Jones’ men fully fire.
Finally, Ciaran Kennedy spoke here to Jacob Stockdale ahead of today’s game, reminding us how the Ulsterman stormed into international rugby in his first season.
ST PATRICK’S DAY in London, 2018. Ireland are Grand Slam champions and Jacob Stockdale is at the absolute top of his game. His superb solo try in that 24-15 win leaves him on seven tries for the campaign. No player had ever scored more across the five games of a Six Nations championship.
Stockdale was 21 and had played just nine times for Ireland. Comic book stuff.
Andy Farrell, meanwhile, has been speaking to Virgin Media ahead of kick-off.
Five stats to chew on.
1: England and Ireland have met 137 times, England winning 80 of those games, Ireland 49 with eight games ending in a draw.
2: England’s starting XV has 769 caps, Ireland 694.
3: Johnny Sexton is Ireland’s most capped player on show today, with 98 appearances in green; Ben Youngs, with 108 caps, is the most experienced on the England side.
4: England have the heavier pack. Theirs weighs 142 stone, nine pounds; Ireland come in at 141 stone, 10 pounds.
5: Both Tadhg Beirne and Charlie Ewels are the tallest players on the pitch, each standing at 6 foot, 6 inches.
Meanwhile in Murrayfield. This has happened.
It means we are only 10 months away from hearing how Italy have so many good, young players coming through and if we are patient, then they will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.
They have not won a game in the Six Nations since 2015.
To be fair to Scotland, this was a superb try.
Back in Dublin, Eddie ‘awww mate’ Jones has been speaking to Virgin Media’s Sinead Kissane.
Teams coming out onto the pitch.
All set for CJ’s last Stand.
Anthem time.
We are up and running, Conor Murray finds a good touch.
Itoje claims the first lineout of the day. And the ball goes into the air as Eddie Jones predicted. Ah, it was Ben Youngs who put it up there.
2 minutes - Ireland spin the ball wide for the first time since about the Ice Age. Nothing comes from it but still, it is better than kicking the leather out of the ball.
3 minutes
Right, so England have received the ball four times ….. and kicked it four times. Eddie Jones’ pre-match guff is as predictable as his team’s tactics.
4 minutes First scrum of the game and it goes well for Ireland’s pack. They run it, but Bundee Aki is run into touch.
6 minutes Elliot Daly’s kick goes out on the full. England have kicked the ball more often than Ireland in the opening six minutes.
7 minutes Penalty goes England’s way after Itoje does some serious work at the breakdown. England are in the Irish 22.
Another penalty goes England’s way, this time within Owen Farrell’s range. He is lining up a shot at goal, Ireland penalised at the lineout.
9 MINUTES PENALTY ENGLAND (FARRELL)
Ireland 0-3 England
Farrell lands a tidy kick.
10 minutes Billy Vunipola smothered by a collection of Irish tacklers, George Ford kicks deep into the Ireland half, Stockdale hesitates, Hugo Keenan is subsequently penalised and England have their fourth penalty of the day. They go to the corner. Itoje gathers and goes to the line but is held up. England have a five-metre scrum.
13 minutes England’s scrum is pinged; free kick to Ireland, Sexton finds touch.
England have had 70 per cent possession so far.
14 minutes England’s lineout is working well, Robbie Henshaw is working tirelessly, putting a huge tackle in on George Ford. Best moment of the game so far for Ireland.
16 minutes Robbie Henshaw hits Daly with the best tackle that Lansdowne Road has seen since Roy Keane put Marc Overmars on his ass. Penalty, Ireland. Sexton will nail this from in front of the posts.
17 minutes England 3-3 Ireland (Sexton)
Penalty from just inside the 22 is easily slotted over.
19 minutes Ireland claim the restart and Murray boxkicks – okay then, Eddie Jones may have had a point.
19 minutes Bundee Aki makes a key catch in the Ireland 22 after some hesitancy from Conor Murray. Aki’s work saves a certain try. Meanwhile, Dave Kilcoyne looks hurt; Cian Healy set to be called in.
22 minutes TRY IRELAND (EARLS)
Robbie Henshaw has just put in another superb tackle, as Ireland again, are placed under pressure.
Then comes a superb try, Herring with a great throw, Conan with the catch and superb pass, Earls bursts through, steps off his left foot to leave Jonny May chasing his shadow. Ireland are 8-3 up.
23 minutes Ireland 10-3 England (Sexton conversion)
Fine kick from Sexton from a tight angle; Ireland have a seven-point lead and that score from Earls, is, by some distance, the best moment yet of the Farrell era. A superb score.
Here is the Earls try.
26 minutes Penalty England (Farrell) Ireland 10-6 England
Owen Farrell with the kick, gap down to four.
30 minutes Penalty Ireland (Sexton)
Sexton restores Ireland’s seven point advantage. Ireland 13-6 England
36 minutes TRY IRELAND JACK CONAN
IRELAND 18-6 ENGLAND
Great catch from Hugo Keenan to start things off; Daly outjumped; the play moves out to the opposing flank, Stockdale makes yards, Sexton keeps possession, Murray makes smart choices and Conan follows up to score a magnificent try.
37 minutes Ireland 20-6 England (Sexton conversion)
Superb kick from Sexton, again from a tight angle.
38 minutes
Ireland win a penalty after Owen Farrell is penalised, the fifth penalty England have conceded after Ireland were pinged for the first four penalties of the afternoon. Sexton kicks to touch.
HALF TIME IRELAND 20-6 ENGLAND
Brilliant first half from Ireland. They struggled initially but defended brilliantly and then found a way into the game via Earls’ try, which started on the training ground and was transferred superbly here onto the field.
Conan’s second try was also a fine team effort – Keenan and Stockdale making crucial contributions, so too Murray and Sexton. Iain Henderson and Robbie Henshaw have been exceptional; England, surely, will have their moments in the second half but that was great stuff from Ireland.
While the two teams catch a breather, we’ve got the last of our half-time competitions to tell you about…
Look at this again and again and again. Jack Conan. Take a bow, son.
Here is what Murray Kinsella has to say.
This is Rob Kitson from The Guardian.
And this is Rory Keane from The Mail.
Finally the thoughts of Ruadhri O’Connor, from the Irish Independent.
Great image here of Jack Conan’s try by the peerless, James Crombie.
Teams are coming out now for the second half.
Fourteen points, is that a big enough lead? Let us know your thoughts below.
41 minutes Ireland 20-6 England
Mako and Cowan-Dickie are off; Genge and George are on for England. Sexton, meanwhile, finds a good touch; England counter and Keith Earls gets smothered in possession. England win a penalty.
Farrell kicks to the corner. They are chasing things already.
PENALTY IRELAND
Pressure relieved after England commit a technical error at the lineout, their chance to set the tone for the half disappearing within seconds.
43 minutes Ireland 20-6 England
Penalty, Ireland. Itoje penalised for offside; Sexton kicks the ball deep into the England half, just outside their 22.
44 minutes, Ireland 20-6 England
Herring’s throw is off; England kick clear; aerial ping ping ensues, Hugo Keenan and Robbie Henshaw do fine work but Daly’s swerving kick is excellent and the play has moved into the Ireland 22. Herring to throw. Beirne gathers; Murray clears.
47 minutes Ireland 20-6 England
Penalty Ireland, again won at the breakdown after Beirne does some superb work. He is going to be a Lion this summer; so too Henderson, Keenan, Henshaw, Stander. You can add your own thoughts to this discussion below.
49 minutes TRY IRELAND (EARLS)
TMO checking it out
Question is being asked whether Iain Henderson knocked the ball on in midfield.
Try disallowed – Cian Healy had knocked the ball on, Henderson’s effort ruled okay by the TMO. Tough on Earls, who finished brilliantly in the corner after Sexton’s crosskick.
Still, Ireland have a penalty. Sexton points to the posts.
50 minutes PENALTY IRELAND (SEXTON) Ireland 23-6 England
Sexton kicks his 21st penalty from 22 attempts in this championship.
Robbie Henshaw claims the restart. He is having a stormer.
CJ Stander and Tadhg Beirne go for a Curry together. Ireland win another turnover. This is going better for Andy Farrell than anyone – this writer included – predicted.
53 minutes – Ireland 23-6 England
Fine counter attack from Daly leads to an England penalty, Jack Conan penalised for offside. Ford kicks to touch; England win the lineout. Maul gains yards, play is just outside the Ireland 22 when Vunipola goes on a charge. Ball moves to midfield where Genge, then Marchand carry it forward. May carries next; then van der Flier steals the ball off Billy Vunipola.
55 minutes Ireland 23-6 England
Owen Farrell has gone off for a Head Injury Assessment.
So, 25 minutes remain. Ireland appear to be in control but you still half-expect a late sting from England in this game.
59 minutes Ireland 26-6 England
Andrew Porter is ready to come in for Furlong.
Ireland win a scrum penalty off England’s feed. They celebrate like they’ve just won the World Cup.
In other news, Iain Henderson has been immense this afternoon.
63 minutes Ireland 26-6 England
Correction to my earlier post; so Sexton’s penalty has left Ireland 20 points clear. There are 17 minutes left on the clock.
63 minutes RED CARD to Bundee Aki
Aki makes contact with Vunipola’s head with his shoulder. So 17 minutes, 20 point lead, 14 versus 15.
Ryan Baird has replaced Iain Henderson.
64 minutes TRY ENGLAND (BEN YOUNGS)
65 minutes – Ireland 26-11 England
Daly misses the conversion which could be crucial – as the momentum of the game has changed dramatically. 14-man Ireland have 15 minutes to hang in there.
PENALTY IRELAND
Beirne picks up an injury after some great Irish play; the 14 men have won a penalty within a kickable position for Sexton.
68 minutes PENALTY IRELAND (SEXTON) Ireland 29-11 England
This is a crucial penalty, extending Ireland’s lead to 18 points, meaning England now need three tries and two conversions to get the win, here. With 12 minutes remaining, Ireland should have enough points banked to win this.
70 minutes Ireland win another penalty; Sexton kicks to touch. They are managing the game well.
Another penalty to Ireland. Sexton could kick this with his weaker foot.
72 minutes Ireland 32-11 England (Sexton, penalty)
Sexton has now scored eight from eight today. This is Ireland’s highest score against England in 14 years.
74 minutes England win a penalty and run it. They move into the Ireland 22. England win another penalty – this time inside the Ireland 22. Daly kicks to the corner.
YELLOW CARD CONOR MURRAY
Ireland now have 13 men. The good news is they have only two minutes and 42 seconds to hold on to their 21-point lead
78 minutes Ireland 21-11 England
Robbie Henshaw is the official player of the match.
TRY ENGLAND (MAY)
Ireland 32-18 England (DALY CONVERSION)
May scores an easy try; 13 men are never going to hold out against 15. Still, 50 seconds remain. Ireland have this won.
FULL TIME IRELAND 32-18 ENGLAND
Ireland retain possession in the final minute. They have seen this game out magnificently.
Their overall display is hugely impressive.
Well, that was just incredible from Ireland, a performance built on courage and intelligence. After England’s initial onslaught, they managed to stay in the game, Robbie Henshaw delivering a brilliant defensive display.
The game then turned on Keith Earls’ try – a big win for attack coach, Mike Catt, who has been heavily criticised in this championship. From that moment on, Ireland’s confidence soared while England, once again, fell apart.
The coach now under pressure is Eddie Jones rather than Andy Farrell. He can be content with his week’s work, his team selection was vindicated, his tactics worked out. So many Irish players impressed today: Henshaw, Sexton, Murray, Keenan, Conan, Stander, Beirne, Henderson, Furlong, Healy, Herring.
In fact, you could just name the entire team and you wouldn’t be far wrong. It was the best performance of the Farrell era, the best by an Irish team since they defeated the All Blacks in November 2018.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
England Ireland Minute-by-Minute Six Nations Championship