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 17:02 · Luke Baker]

PENALTY! England 8-3 Ireland (George Ford, 17 mins)

A perfect opening 18 minutes for England who have looked more dynamic than any point in the Six Nations so far. George Ford slots a simple penalty from a central location to extend the advantage to five points.

[9 March 2024 17:01 · Luke Baker]

England 5-3 Ireland, 15 mins

Feyi-Waboso shining on his first England start as another barrelling carry makes him seven or eight metres as he slips a Doris tackle. Then it’s a gorgeous offload from the floor from Earl to George who charges into Irish territory.

England win the penalty and Ford will kick for goal

[9 March 2024 17:00 · Luke Baker]

England 5-3 Ireland, 14 mins

Good defence again from Ireland, who have spent a lot of time pinned in their own 22 but largely holding firm. They force a knock-on and boot clear.

[9 March 2024 16:58 · Luke Baker]

England 5-3 Ireland, 11 mins

Lineout issues for the normally impeccable Dan Sheehan. Ireland had a 95 per cent lineout success rate heading into this game, the best in the Six Nations, but see that one pinched.

England race into the 22 through Feyi-Waboso and although Mitchell’s grubber bounces into Irish hands, Keenan is tackled into touch for the lineout

[9 March 2024 16:56 · Luke Baker]

England 5-3 Ireland, 10 mins

Van der Flier shows his jackal threat as he gets over the ball at the breakdown following a Furbank carry and wins Ireland a penalty. Could Furbank have gone wide to the supporting Ben Earl?

Either way the Irish defence comes up big and kicks clear.

[9 March 2024 16:54 · Luke Baker]

England 5-3 Ireland, 8 mins

Calvin Nash had to head off for a HIA after that clash with Freeman earlier, so Ciaran Frawley is on. He slots in at full back, so Keenan is on the wing.

A good early sign for the English pack! They win a scrum penalty immediately and kick up to the 22 - another good platform.

[9 March 2024 16:53 · Luke Baker]

England 5-3 Ireland, 7 mins

The crowd are right into this one now. Lowe with a barrelling carry takes Ireland into the 22 down the left.

But England’s blitz defence force the mistake, Feyi-Waboso rushing out of the line to confront Freeman, who tries to field a low pass from Gibson-Park and knocks on. Text Felix Jones-coached defence and a good start by the young winger.

[9 March 2024 16:50 · Luke Baker]

TRY! England 5-3 Ireland (Ollie Lawrence, 5 mins)

Unbelievable! Superb response from England and Ollie Lawrence is over!

Freeman tackled hard by Nash but a big carry up the middle from England creates space to the left. Ford finds Slade who feeds Lawrence and the centre hands off Crowley as he gets round the outside of him and dots down in the corner.

Superb try. Ford misses the conversion but England lead!

[9 March 2024 16:48 · Luke Baker]

PENALTY! England 0-3 Ireland (Jack Crowley, 3 mins)

No mistake from Crowley as he bangs the opening points of the game between the sticks.

[9 March 2024 16:47 · Luke Baker]

England 0-0 Ireland, 2 mins

Early lineout on halfway for Ireland and it’s safely secured. Van der Flier then breaks the line with a carry.

A couple more phases and Ireland win the penalty for offside, so Crowley has a first shot at the posts - right in front, just outside the 22.