ENGLAND 57-15 IRELAND
Joe Schmidt admitted, in the lead-up to Ireland’s World Cup warm-up against England, that his side were a week behind Eddie Jones’ men in their preparations.
When the final whistle sounded at Twickenham it seemed as it they were light years away from this ruthless English side. Ireland suffered their worst ever defeat – in their Test rugby history – to England on a sunny afternoon in London.
Ireland were twice ahead in the first half – after a Jordan Larmour try and a sweetly struck Ross Byrne penalty – but a horror 30 seconds got the hosts in front. Conor Murray was left sparked after a tackle attempt on Jonny May and England took advantage of playing against 14 men as play raged on, with Elliott Daly scoring in the corner.
The Irish lineout and scrum was creaking in the first 40 and England took full advantage with another scrum under the shadow of the visitor’s posts. Bundee Aki looked pedestrian in defence and Jacob Stockdale charged up early and failed to cut out a pass for a third time and Manu Tuilagi cantered over to make it 22-10.
George Ford is charged down by CJ Stander during the Test match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium. (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile)The second half was even worse for Ireland as Maro Itoje, George Kruis and Tom Curry made it 43-10 with 20 minutes to go. Ireland looked completely spent of ideas, energy and hope.
Cokanasiga’s second try, on 64 minutes, summed up the abject nature of this Irish performance as Manu Tuilagi sucked in the Irish midfield and his teammate cantered past four flailing men in green.
Bundee Aki bagged a try in the corner, late on, but it would be optimistic to even describe it as a consolation score. Even so, Luke Cowan-Dickie got the final try after Ireland made a hames of another lineout.
Here’s how we rated Joe Schmidt’s men in green:
Rob Kearney – 5
Started off well with a lovely run and offload to Larmour. Lovely, looping pass to set Stockdale free ahead of Larmour’s try. Made a try-saving tackle on Jonny May. Missed another three tackles, though.
Jordan Larmour – 3
Drifted over from his wing to be on hand for that Stockdale chip ahead. Did his best to cover over but could not get a proper tackle in on Joe Cokanasiga for his try. Fell off far too many tackles. Was lit up by Tuilagi after receiving one high ball, which he spilled.
Garry Ringrose – 4
Made a couple of smart carries but was swept away by the white tide. Was sucked in by a couple of Tuilagi dummy runs.
Bundee Aki – 4
Won his team a big turnover just outside the English 22. Was left ball-watching for the Tuilagi try. Beat three men for a consolation try in the corner.
Jacob Stockdale – 3
His chip ahead had England in all sorts of trouble and Larmour pounced to get the opening try. On three occasions in the first half, he charged up on a ball carrier and did not stop the pass, costing his side tries. Started the second half by getting turned over by Tuilagi after taking Cokanasiga on. Unlucky to place ball in touch after he looked set to tee up a Conway score.
Ross Byrne – 4
Nailed a touchline conversion to kick off his tally and landed a good penalty soon after. Two decent cross-field kicks in the first half. Fell off too many tackles. Missed four of his nine tackles attempted.
Conor Murray – 4
Pushed an early pass forward to Larmour to concede a scrum that England got a penalty from. Was not at his sharpest before he was left sparked by Jonny May. Returned after a Head Injury Assessment but did not come back out for the second half.
Cian Healy – 5
Lost his first scrum battle with Kyle Sinckler to concede a penalty. The scrum was in trouble all day. Limped off with an ankle injury before half-time. Was one of the only Irish players to land big tackles and drive English players back.
Rory Best – 3
Ireland’s lineout creaked horrendously again. They lost four of their first seven lineouts and one of them effectively coughed up a try to Maro Itoje. Scrum was squashed too.
Tadhg Furlong – 4
Could not take down Maro Itoje as he galloped through a gaping hole for England’s fourth try. Was part of a pack that struggled in the set-pieces.
Iain Henderson – 5
Stole the ball from an early English lineout and, 30 seconds later, Ireland had their first try. Won his side another penalty when England did not release after a decent carry from the big man. Could not prevent George Kruis’ try.
Jean Kleyn – 3
Did not miss any of his nine tackle attempts (a rarity for Irish players today) but little impact going forward.
Peter O’Mahony – 4
Another that was blow away by a hugely physical England side.
Josh van der Flier – 5
Worked his rump off and got through a heap of work but was finger in the dam stuff.
CJ Stander – 2
A absolute rarity in the first half. No carries made at all as he struggled to get into the game. Made his first carry on 47 minutes and was a strangely mute passenger for much of the game.
REPLACEMENTS
Luke McGrath (for Murray ’40) – 5
Covered for Murray as he underwent a HIA then finished out the game.
Jack McGrath (for Healy ’38) – 3
Fell asleep for the Itoje try.
Sean Cronin (for Best ’53) – 3
Andrew Porter (for Furlong ’53) – 5
Won a scrum penalty after coming on.
Devin Toner (for Kleyn ’53) – 4
Penalised for tackling Itoje in the air.
Andrew Conway (for Kearney ’53) – 5
Was nearly away for a consolation try before the touch judge spotted a foot in touch.
Jack Carty (for Byrne ’55) – 5
Tadhg Beirne (for Henderson ’59) – 5
WATCH THE LATEST HOUSE OF RUGBY SHOW HERE:
