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

Andy Farrell hails Ireland's composure with Six Nations win in France

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:

England v Ireland LIVE: Latest updates from Six Nations

• England beat Ireland in the most dramatic fashion at Twickenham in the Six Nations
• Ireland denied back-to-back grand slams as Marcus Smith slots last-gasp drop goal to snatch one-point win
• REPORT: Marcus Smith crushes Ireland’s grand slam dream as England become title contenders
• FULL-TIME! England 23-22 Ireland
• 80’ - DROP GOAL! Smith wins it with dramatic last-gasp drop goal (ENG 23-22 IRE)
• 73’ - TRY! Lowe over again as Ireland edge ahead (ENG 20-22 IRE)
• 60’ - TRY! Earl powers over the line to put England in front (ENG 20-17 IRE)
• 47’ - TRY! Furbank races over after neat England offloads (ENG 13-17 IRE)
• 44’ - TRY! Lowe finishes in the corner after nice team move (ENG 8-17 IRE)
• 40’ - PENALTY! Crowley slots his fourth penalty to give Ireland a half-time lead (ENG 8-12 IRE)
• 25’ - NO TRY! Lawrence over again but try ruled out for a knock-on (ENG 8-6 IRE)
• 5’ - TRY! Lawrence finishes in style in the corner (ENG 5-3 IRE)

[9 March 2024 18:13 · Luke Baker]

England 20-17 Ireland, 64 mins

Ireland on the attack but another error with ball in hand as the pass is low and they knock on in contact. England exit towards halfwaywith Mitchell’s box kick.

[9 March 2024 18:12 · Luke Baker]

England 20-17 Ireland, 62 mins

Jack Conan on in Ireland’s back row. Still another five minutes of O’Mahony in the sin-bin.

This is the first time the champions elect have been truly tested in this Six Nations. What have they got?

[9 March 2024 18:09 · Luke Baker]

TRY! England 20-17 Ireland (Ben Earl, 60 mins)

And England go over! Big man Ben Earl powers his way across the line and Twickenham is rocking now.

Maybe not as spectacular as his score earlier in the tournament but Earl on crash ball off the base of the ruck, shakes off an Aki tackle and stretches out for the try with Crowley draped all over him.

Easy Smith conversion and England lead heading into the final quarter.

[9 March 2024 18:08 · Luke Baker]

England 13-17 Ireland, 59 mins

Scrappy from England. They spill, go wide but they still have the ball. Mitchell darts through a hole. Five metres out.

Big carry and they’re on the line...

[9 March 2024 18:07 · Luke Baker]

England 13-17 Ireland, 59 mins

Biggest roar of the day? Marcus Smith on for Ford at fly half.

England smell blood here, win the lineout in the 22 and drive towards the line with the Twickenham crowd roaring them on.

[9 March 2024 18:07 · Luke Baker]

SIN-BIN! England 13-17 Ireland (Peter O’Mahony, 58 mins)

That is magnificent by Ben Earl! England steal the Irish lineout near halfway and Earl weaves between tacklers, shaking off arm tacklers to get them up to the 22.

And then England win the penalty! And O’Mahony sent to the sin-bin for the cynical act. England kick to the corner.

[9 March 2024 18:05 · Luke Baker]

England 13-17 Ireland, 56 mins

Another rare lineout error from Ireland as they lose the contest at the front but luckily for them, the ball bounces into touch and it’s another lineout.

This one is better but Aki knocks on in contact and England clear. After a kicking battle Ford finds touch near-ish halfway.

Frawley has failed his HIA, so Gibson-Park will be out on the wing for the rest of his match.

[9 March 2024 18:03 · Luke Baker]

England 13-17 Ireland, 55 mins

A testing kick launched into the air by Murray but Freeman does well to just about win the contest five metres from his own line and hold on to the ball.

Ford’s kick clear from his own in-goal area doesn’t even exit the 22. A few jeers of frustration from the England fans. Ford not having his finest game and surely only a matter of time until Marcus Smith is thrown on.

[9 March 2024 18:01 · Luke Baker]

England 13-17 Ireland, 53 mins

Aki carries up the middle and Feyi-Waboso thinks he might have won a penalty but the referee gives it Ireland’s way instead. With the penalty coming, Murray takes the opportunity to boot the ball into Dan Cole’s stomach from close range. Lovely s-housery there.

All new front row for England as Theo Dan, Joe Marler and Will Stuart trot on for Cole, Genge and George.

[9 March 2024 17:59 · Luke Baker]

England 13-17 Ireland, 52 mins

The sun setting in the Twickenham sky but not quite on England’s hopes in this match just yet. The sides trade box-kicks as they looks to find an edge.