The two year title reign is now officially over.
Ireland put up a hell of a fight at Twickenham but ran out of gas, ideas and luck as England claimed a 21-10 win to top the standings and march on to a Championship dust-up with the Welsh.
Trailing 6-3 at half-time, Ireland hit the front after Conor Murray got a converted try. That was as good as it got. Anthony Watson and Mike Brown crossed for tries and Ireland were unable to knock the door down in the closing stages.
Here’s how we rated Joe Schmidt’s men in green.
Rob Kearney – 7
Back to something like his best. Intense kick-chase, solid airborne takes and he made a couple of nice line breaks. Needed every ounce of gas to hare back and prevent an Owen Farrell counter-attack try.
Andrew Trimble – 5
Nearly done by Watson on his outside but grabbed enough ankle to prevent an early try. Spilled forward just outside the English 22, though, to ruin a decent attack. Boshed by Billy Vunipola before Poite called play back for a penalty.
Robbie Henshaw – 7
Nearly replicated Shane Horgan with a stretch for try in the corner. Was not to be. Was pinged for a midfield obstruction that put Sexton through a gap he had illegally created. Surely a set-play so we won’t be too harsh on him [and Farrell missed]. His defence was dogged as usual. Penalised for holding on as Ireland’s challenge flagged.
Stuart McCloskey – 8
Big trucker. McCloskey was up for this match and took just about everything England flung at him. Nice, soft hands in midfield too. Vital tackle on Hartley held him up and prevented a try. Became a bigger attacking threat in the second half.
Keith Earls
Crucial, diving tackle prevented a Jack Nowell try in the corner. Didn’t see too much ball in the first half yet grew more influential as the game ticked on. Was sucked in, like all 14 of his teammates, for Brown’s try.
Johnny Sexton – 8
Confidently slotted over his early penalty. Camped out on the wing when Ireland were defending but was a pivotal figure as his side tried to survive England’s first half onslaught. Was targeted for multiple late hits. Nice height on his aerial bombs. Stunning break nearly set up Henshaw for a try.
Conor Murray – 6
Sloppiest start we’ve seen in years from the scrum half – loose kicks and passes too high. That continued all the way to the break. His best contributions of the opening 40 was helping to prevent Vunipola and Hartley tries. All was immediately forgiven when he sniped over for a try, moments after Haskell almost beheaded him.
Jack McGrath – 8
Loved having Ross back and his good hit on Cole helped win an early penalty. Certainly reached, and bypassed, his usual high quota of tackles. Made one forceful incision through the English lines. Major player for us now.
Rory Best – 5
Once again his throwing radar failed inside the opposition 22. Lineout was a mess and Best must take his share of the blame [the lifters too]. Was part of a front row that was thankfully solid again and was his usual nuisance self at the breakdown.
Mike Ross – 8
Welcome back you big, hulking brute of a man. Won Ireland an early penalty and all looked right with the world again. Solid in the set-piece. Gave it his all for the best part of an hour.
Swing Low rings out but Mike Ross shuts that up pretty sharpish
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) February 27, 2016
Donnacha Ryan – 8
By God, he gave it socks for Ireland’s Call! Massive hit on Haskell forced a turnover deep in Ireland’s 22. Made 11 tackles in the first 30 minutes and, just before half-time, needed to make another crucial one when left solo against Jack Nowell. He did.
Devin Toner – 5
In the thick of it right from the start. Was sat down by Billy Vunipola but constantly came back for more. Tackled Robshaw on his knees, for some reason, in the immediate lead up to Watson’s try.
CJ Stander – 6
Conceded a penalty, 10 minutes in, for not releasing. Was needed much more in defence than attack but carried strongly when required.
Josh van der Flier – 7
Looked, for all the world, like he had a debut try but the TMO wasn’t having it. Sharp instincts, early doors, to hack away loose ball and bring Haskell down on halfway. Vital, low tackle on a motoring Mike Brown too. Very busy performance. Gave away a silly second half penalty. Linked up well to give Dillane a great try chance but he came up just short.
Jamie Heaslip – 5
One clean break and chip up the line in the opening 40. Quiet enough after that. Made his tackles and carries but failed to have any real impact on affairs.
Replacements
R Strauss – 5
[For Best ’70] Peripheral figure. Saw little ball.
C Healy – 5
[For McGrath ’58] Buzzed about but made few in-roads. Turned over in contact right at the death.
White – 3
[For Ross ’58] Proved why he is not Test standard, just in case we didn’t know already.
Dillane – 6
[For Ryan ’65] Almost had a debut try after a line break and one-two with Van der Flier.
Ruddock – 6
[For Stander ’66] Battled manfully.
Reddan – 5
[For Murray ’70] Crisp passing in his cameo.
Madigan – 5
[For Sexton] Match was well over when he entered the fray.
Zebo – 7
[For McCloskey ’62] His first job was to wonderfully pouch a high ball. Added some vim for the final 20.
