Ireland v England LIVE: Six Nations result and reaction as hosts come on strong to claim victory
Ireland 27-22 England: Double defending champions pull away in the second half to kick-start pursuit of historic third straight title
Ireland had to come from behind against England to get their bid for a third successive Six Nations title off to a winning 27-22 bonus-point start thanks to a ferocious second half after the visitors had made life very uncomfortable.
England got their gameplan spot on in the first half to lead 10-5 at the break, taking a deserved early lead through a debut Cadan Murley try before frustrating a stop-start Ireland at the breakdown with only Jamison Gibson-Park able to break through.
The game swung decisively Ireland's way early in the second half with a powerful Bundee Aki try and Sam Prendergast penalty putting them ahead for the first time after 55 minutes before a Tadhg Beirne try delivered a knockout blow 10 minutes later.
The relentless hosts pushed for the fourth bonus point-clinching try to cap off interim coach Simon Easterby's first game in charge and got it through replacement Dan Sheehan before Tom Curry halted the second-half onslaught and Tommy Freeman grabbed another consolation try at the death.
Relive all of the updates from the Aviva Stadium in our live blog below:
Ireland 27-10 England, 75 mins
Once again, England have faded in the final quarter of the game. This was the issue throughout 2024.
Meanwhile, Ireland have come on strong.
TRY! Ireland 27-10 England (Dan Sheehan, 72 mins)
Great pass by Dan Sheehan to free Conan, who slices through a gap and makes plenty of ground.
Sheehan then with another long pass to Lowe, who powers down the left flank and then pops back inside to the supporting Sheehan for the score! Brilliant by the replacement hooker.
Crowley adds the extras and Ireland will win this game as they wrap up the bonus point.
Ireland 20-10 England, 71 mins
Ireland look set to score from the lineout but Curry with an important turnover and England can exit. Good battling.
Randall then makes a mess of a box kick - things aren’t looking good for England.
Ireland 20-10 England, 68 mins
Another Cadan Murley error in his own in-goal area. He has the patience to let the ball bounce into the in-goal area, he needs to just tap it down.
Instead he picks it up, tries to come out of the in-goal and is immediately pushed into touch. Really poor from a Test player
Ireland 20-10 England, 67 mins
Fin Smith and Harry Randall on for England - a new half-back pairing. Marcus Smith goes to full back. It’s starting to look bleak for England though.
Ireland fire and up-and-under from the free-kick, Dan collects but goes backwards. England haven’t had possession in Irish territory for a long time.
TRY! Ireland 20-10 England (Tadhg Beirne, 65 mins)
Is that the game for Ireland? Great running lines, great timing on the Gibson-Park pass and Lowe glides through a gpa, draws a defender and flips it to Tadhg Beirne to run over.
Beautifully worked and that’s the Ireland execution we’re used to. Crowley adds the extras and Ireland have a healthy lead.
Big minutes for fourth-choice prop Thomas Clarkson
The sight of Finlay Bealham limping off is a real concern for Ireland with Tahdg Furlong already injured and Tom O'Toole not available until round three due to suspension. These could be big minutes for Thomas Clarkson, who is a tighthead of real promise.
Ireland 13-10 England, 63 mins
Ireland’s turn to knock on as Doris drops the ball when running into traffic - it was thrown quite hard at him. We’ve had 13 handling errors between the two teams today though.
Iain Henderson on for Ryan in Ireland’s second row.
England win a free-kick at the scrum, Sheehan pinged for creating instability, and Smith launches a high kick that bounces back to England but Smith then gets enveloped by a green blob just inside his own half.
Oh dear, Cunningham-South takes Keenan out a touch early as he’s jumping. Penalty to Ireland and Lowe comes in with some pushing to protect his mate.
Ireland 13-10 England, 61 mins
More pack reinforcements for England as Ollie Chessum and Chandler Cunningham-South enter the fray.
England attack but turn the ball over in contact and Hansen boots the ball deep into the opposition 22, forcing Steward to scramble kick clear towards halfway. Ireland starting to win the collisions, which will worry Steve Borthwick
Ireland 13-10 England, 59 mins
Smith goes to the air again in attack with an up-and-under but Henshaw does well to knock it down and pounce on it.
Jack Crowley on at fly half for Prendergast.
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