Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated
3 weeks ago

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

Harry Latham-Coyle
at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin
,Luke Baker
Saturday 01 February 2025 18:54 GMT
Comments
England head coach Steve Borthwick previews Six Nations at launch in Rome

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:

Pinned

REPORT: Impressive Ireland set sail in search of Six Nations history as England wilt again

With a new hand at the helm, the good ship Ireland is sailing successfully again. Off in search of treasure Simon Easterby’s side embarked with victory over England; there is plenty that must be navigated before the twice defending champions begin to truly contemplate an unprecedented third consecutive Six Nations crown, but this was an excellent start.

England had rocked their winning vessel in the first half with defensive zeal but there felt little doubt that an Ireland side used to rough seas would eventually emerge on top. Away they accelerated at a rate of knots to start the Easterby era with a victory made narrow by two late English tries but decided long before.

Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s report from the Aviva Stadium in Dublin:

Impressive Ireland set sail in search of Six Nations history as England wilt again

Ireland 27-22 England: Chasing a third consecutive Six Nations crown, Ireland overcame a dogged England performance with a trademark second-half surge
Luke Baker1 February 2025 18:53
3 weeks ago

More from Steve Borthwick

“We play France next week and we are looking forward to being backc in front of our supporters. I think we are seeing a team that is starting to develop how we want to attack and to work incredibly hard for each other. Ireland have been a top team for so long. That experience told in the third quarter, which allowed them to get the scoreboard pressure that we couldn’t claw back.”

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2025 19:32
3 weeks ago

Maro Itoje adds his thoughts

“The first half was really good. In the second half, we didn’t quite execute the gameplan in terms of field position and territory. We fought to get the losing bonus point at the end, and that is admirable.

“It’s always been a tremendous honour to be [England captain]. The team received me well and it was a good Test match. We played really well in the first half, and in the second half we didn’t quite execute. But overall, in terms of how I found the captaincy, it was fine.

“It is what it is. Our role is to learn from it and build and get better. There were large parts of our game in which I think we took a step forward today. Our energy on the field, the vibrancy in attack. But there are things to learn and get better.”

(REUTERS)
Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2025 19:25
3 weeks ago

Steve Borthwick reacts to England's defeat

“Immense credit to Ireland. They are such an experienced team and in that third quarter they did really well. There were two kick exchanges that they won and a couple of penalties that we conceded that gave them opportunities. That was a critical period.

“I’m very proud of the way the players attacked the game in the first half and then in the final quarter, the way they came back with a couple of tries to get us a bonus point.

“We started the second half with a whole lot of energy and endeavour. I thought that our effort against one of the best attacking sides in the world showed that the team has improved defensively.”

Harry Latham-Coyle1 February 2025 19:22
3 weeks ago

Maro Itoje discusses England defeat

Not the first game as England captain that Maro Itoje would have wanted. Here’s what he had to say afterwards

"I thought the first half was fantastic and we did everything we wanted to do. The second half we lost the territory a little bit and we struggled to get out.

"We just need to control the territory better and be more consistent.

"It's hard to tell what the exact reason [for the loss] is at this point, so soon after after the game. We weren't able to exit our half as quickly as we would have liked."

Luke Baker1 February 2025 19:10
3 weeks ago

Jamison Gibson-Park reflects on Ireland win

Ireland scrum half Jamison Gibson-Park was named player of the match and he spoke to ITV after the match to give his thoughts.

"It was a little patchy to begin with but we produced some nice stuff in the end. A lot of credit to England. We improved our accuracy and things stuck better in the second half.

"I am super lucky to be part of this squad and I am just enjoying my footie. It is an unbelievable team and environment."

Luke Baker1 February 2025 19:00
3 weeks ago

FULL-TIME! Ireland 27-22 England

All over in Dublin. A tense first half saw England lead by five points at the break but Ireland blew them away in the second 40 and secure a bonus point.

A couple of late England tries narrowed the final scoreline and earned a losing bonus point but the game was largely done and dusted by that stage.

(Evan Treacy/PA Wire)
Luke Baker1 February 2025 18:45
3 weeks ago

TRY! Ireland 27-22 England (Tommy Freeman, 80 mins)

England do at least leave with a losing bonus point as they grab a last-gasp try.

Theo Dan drifts outside his man and then offloads to Tommy Freeman, who produces a clever stop and go to accelerate through a gap and run in under the sticks.

Smith adds the simple conversion and although England have been outclassed in this second half, the final scoreline is relatively close.

Luke Baker1 February 2025 18:41
3 weeks ago

Ireland 27-15 England, 79 mins

Ireland just seeing this game out now. They almost have another try but Lowe is pushed into touch in the 22.

Luke Baker1 February 2025 18:38
3 weeks ago

TRY! Ireland 27-15 England (Tom Curry, 75 mins)

It's England's first real attacking opportunity of the second half and they've scored. Lovely play from Lawrence to beat Healy and make good ground, he then passes to Murley out wide. A flip back inside and Tom Curry runs in for the try.

Smith's conversion is wide of the left post

Luke Baker1 February 2025 18:37

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in