England 23 – 22 Ireland

Ollie Lawrence, George Furbank, Ben Earl scored tries, earlier than Marcus Smith struck a drop-goal with the ultimate kick to beat Six Nations leaders Eire at Twickenham, denying them the title per week early and halting desires of a consecutive Grand Slam; James Lowe scored two tries for Eire

Eire’s hopes of historic back-to-back Six Nations Grand Slams had been ended by England with the ultimate kick at Twickenham, as Marcus Smith struck a last-gasp drop aim to seal a 23-22 win.

England, who produced their greatest efficiency of the championship by a substantial distance, scored tries by way of Ollie Lawrence, George Furbank and Ben Earl.

Eire scored their factors by way of 4 Jack Crowley penalties and two James Lowe tries, however fell behind from a place of 9 factors forward as England acquired the higher of their lineout, two accidents to backs compelled scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park to the wing and skipper Peter O’Mahony was proven a pricey yellow card.

Crowley kicked Eire right into a 3-0 lead in simply the third minute, however England hit again nearly instantly with the Take a look at’s opening strive, as after Eire wing Calvin Nash closed down area with a giant sort out and was out of the sport damage, Lawrence raced into area down the wing, handing off Crowley to attain within the nook.

England’s Ollie Lawrence scored the opening strive of the Take a look at within the nook

Ford’s conversion slipped broad, however Eire had been compelled to shift full-back Hugo Keenan to the correct wing with Nash unable to proceed.

England’s spectacular quick begin continued, because the opening strive appeared to breed confidence to play at huge tempo, with solely essential Josh van der Flier and Tadhg Beirne turnovers within the Eire 22 avoiding the concession of additional tries.

A penalty in opposition to Eire centre Bundee Aki for mendacity on the incorrect aspect noticed Ford prolong the England result in 8-3, however Eire hit again by way of the boot of Crowley rapidly to slender the hole again to 2 factors.

A poor Aki carry off the restart straight into contact introduced England onto the front-foot once more, as they kicked to the nook with their subsequent penalty as a substitute of for a shot at posts, with a possible second Lawrence strive dominated out for a Furbank knock-on.

A second England strive was dominated out after George Furbank knocked on in a tussle for the ball with Ciaran Frawley

Eire centre Aki then jackalled beautifully to win a penalty close to midway, which Crowley dispatched with a low drive for an inconceivable lead primarily based on the steadiness of play to that time.

Jack Crowley kicked Eire right into a 9-8 lead by way of long-range penalty

A pricey jiffy from Furbank handed Eire the ultimate assault of the half, from the place Crowley kicked them right into a four-point lead after England had been caught offside.

A blistering begin to the second interval noticed Eire lastly string their notes collectively in assault, producing a strive of beautiful high quality by way of Lowe, as Keenan did brilliantly to say a excessive ball to set the platform earlier than Crowley confirmed nice composure and ability to ship Caelan Doris operating into area.

James Lowe scored Eire’s first strive early within the second half

Crowley’s powerful conversion veered broad, however with England needing to attain subsequent from 9 factors behind, they did simply that as an outstanding Sam Underhill carry and offload created the area for Furbank to dash in down the left.

Ford missed once more with the boot to depart England trailing by 4, however Eire had been then compelled into enjoying Gibson-Park on the wing as substitute Ciaran Frawley additionally departed for a failed HIA.

O’Mahony was then sin-binned for cynically diving over a ruck after a line-break, with England kicking to the nook for an enormous probability, which they took to guide by way of Earl after a number of phases of close-range assault.

A Ronan Kelleher breakdown penalty noticed Crowley produce an outstanding kick to the touch, and as soon as Lowe scored with seven minutes to go after extra good fingers on the run, Eire seemed to have carried out sufficient for victory.

When Lowe crossed with seven minutes to go, Eire appeared to have received it

Elliot Daly missed a penalty broad from distance with 4 minutes left, however the very closing assault of the sport noticed Immanuel Feyi-Waboso assault down the wing for a giant achieve of distance, and Smith then present probably the most dramatic climax.

What’s subsequent?

Eire face Scotland on the Aviva Stadium in Dublin within the closing spherical of the championship on Saturday March 16 (4.45pm kick-off GMT).

England journey to play France in Lyon on Saturday March 16 (8pm kick-off GMT) for his or her closing Take a look at of the 2024 championship.

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