England v Ireland LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations as Marcus Smith denies Irish grand slam with last-gasp drop goal
England 23-22 Ireland: Smith slotted a drop goal with the final kick to snatch a shock victory for the hosts and stop back-to-back Irish grand slams
Marcus Smith slotted a last-minute drop goal as England ended Ireland’s double grand slam dream with an exhilarating 23-22 win in a display of their best attacking rugby for years to take the Six Nations championship to the final round.
After Scotland’s shock loss to Italy, Ireland knew victory would give them the title with a round to spare and set them up for back-to-back grand slams and they looked on course with a 12-8 half-time lead via four Jack Crowley penalties despite England scoring the only try through Ollie Lawrence.
Ireland surged 17-8 ahead thanks to James Lowe’s try early in the second half but England roared back with scores from George Furbank and Ben Earl to edge three points clear heading into the final quarter.
A second Lowe try put Ireland back in front, only for replacement fly half Smith to send Twickenham wild at the death as he dropped back and slotted the decisive drop goal for the best performance and result of the Steve Borthwick era.
Relive all the action from England v Ireland below:
Marcus Smith crushes Ireland’s grand slam dream as England become title contenders
Twickenham has scarcely known a noise like it. Marcus Smith dropped boot to ball and wheeled away in embrace of triumph and, once they’d caught up to their match-winner, his England teammates. Ireland – the best team in the world – had been beaten, dreams of a grand slam and history dashed by a side of giants producing their best home performance for more than a decade.
Smith’s drop goal with time expiring gave England victory by a single point, the margins so fine in this grand old championship. The Six Nations heads to the final weekend with a title still up for grabs – and on this evidence, England will be contenders.
With Scotland beaten in Rome, Ireland knew a win of any kind would be enough for a title retention and set up a shot at history in Dublin next week. But this tournament of contradictions, contortions and coils just keeps on delivering.
Marcus Smith crushes Ireland’s grand slam dream as England become title contenders
England 23-22 Ireland: Smith’s drop goal in the final moments secured England victory to deny Ireland a shot at back-to-back grand slams and leave the Six Nations crown up for grabs on the final weekend
Jamie George on the bedlam at the end
“I don’t like watching. I was in awe of the boys on the field, the composure they showed but also going out there to win the game. We had a knock on, they kicked the ball out, but we didn’t panic at any stage. It was a bit emotional at the end because of everything that has gone on but I was so proud of the guys on the field and how they applied themselves.
“That is what we have been trying to do. That is the team we want to be. The way we went out there and had the courage to keep trusting and executing the plan, it was a really pleasing result.
“I think it can really bring the team together. We have had a huge amount of belief in what we are doing but that gives us even more confidence to go out and do that. We are going to look to be better again against France in France.”
Steve Borthwick on England’s win
“I’m really pleased for the players, they’ve worked exceptionally hard since we came together. For the players to have the tangible reward of the victory today against such a good team is important. And it is important for the supporters. I thought Twickenham was magnificent tonight and the supporters left with a smile on their face.
“We’ll enjoy this tonight and be better next week. We concentrated very much on our preparation, and the team has progressed each week. Sometimes it is not as visible or overt, but the team has been progressing. We have talked about keeping moving forward. We know we have got a long way to go as a team but this is another step in the right direction.”
Ben Earl rubbishes ‘worst England team ever’ jibe.
England No 8 Ben Earl, speaking to ITV, said: “Unbelievable really, I am a bit emotional because Jamie [George] lost his mum recently and we have spoken a lot about that.
“Then Danny’s [Care] 100th cap, and some of the rubbish that has been thrown at this team in the past week, apparently we are ‘the worst England team ever’ we have done well for that accolade.
“We knew from the beginning if we played our best game we would have a chance. Everything came together today, we are very fortunate.
“We’ve been training like that every day, sometimes it doesn’t translate onto the pitch, people don’t see half the stuff we do, but they can write what they want. I am just so pleased, that’s where we can take this team.
“I am working hard, we are all working hard. Playing the best team in the world it brings the best out of you, credit to Ireland and credit to the fans.”
Andy Farrell reacts to Ireland’s defeat
“For the neutral, that was a fantastic game to watch. We were on the wrong side of that but we’ll have no trouble getting back up next week for what is a huge game for Irish rugby. The lads are realists. We will learn the lessons quickly.
“Not at all [surprised at how well England played] Look at the quality of the players that England have got. When you are coming off the back of a defeat, it tends to concentrate the mind a little bit. I thought they were super tonight. They were physical and challenging on the gainline and playing a nice brand of rugby as well.”
Farrell also suggests his half time to-do with Steve Borthwick was merely two old friends “catching up”...
Man of the moment Marcus Smith discusses the win
England hero Marcus Smith has reflected on that incredible finale.
Ireland skipper Peter O’Mahony on Ireland’s dramatic defeat
Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony, speaking to ITV: “Credit to England they played really well. We spoke beforehand of how dangerous they can be. They disrupted our attack and defended really well - credit to England.”
“We were frustrated with some of our discipline including my yellow card, but it was more down to them putting us under pressure. Their ability to disrupt the ruck was good and we struggled to put quick ball together.”
On lessons: “We’ll go home and review. We will get back into camp and kick on. We will try and win a Six Nations championship.”
Jamie George reflects on dramatic win
It’s been an emotional few weeks for England skipper Jamie George after the death of his mother and he has reflected on that after this win.
George, speaking to ITV, said: “It’s been a tough week and I’m lost for words a bit. I am so proud of this team, we came under a lot of negativity after that Scotland game.
“We talked about making Twickenham great again and how good is this. It’s the best possible end to a tough few weeks for me.
“We have known that something special was coming, we had a huge amount of belief. Are we one of the best teams in the world? No. But, do we have the best people in place - absolutely.
“We have a tough challenge going away to France. If we cannot take belief off that performance then we will never be able to - that was special.”
Marcus Smith crushes Ireland’s grand slam dream as England become title contenders
Twickenham has scarcely known a noise like it. Marcus Smith dropped boot to ball and wheeled away in embrace of triumph and, once they’d caught up to their match-winner, his England teammates. Ireland – the best team in the world – had been beaten, dreams of a grand slam and history dashed by a side of giants producing their best home performance for more than a decade.
Smith’s drop goal with time expiring gave England victory by a single point, the margins so fine in this grand old championship. The Six Nations heads to the final weekend with a title still up for grabs – and on this evidence, England will be contenders.
With Scotland beaten in Rome, Ireland knew a win of any kind would be enough for a title retention and set up a shot at history in Dublin next week. But this tournament of contradictions, contortions and coils just keeps on delivering.
Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s full report on a day of drama at Twickenham:
Marcus Smith crushes Ireland’s grand slam dream as England become title contenders
England 23-22 Ireland: Smith’s drop goal in the final moments secured England victory to deny Ireland a shot at back-to-back grand slams and leave the Six Nations crown up for grabs on the final weekend
England 23-22 Ireland
Wow, wow, wow. What a performance and what a result for England. Marcus Smith sent Twickenham wild with the drop goal at the death. A lot has been made of England turning ‘rugby HQ’ back into a fortress and the crowd played a huge part today. It was raucous throughout.
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