England v Ireland: match report

By Mick Cleary at Twickenham Published: 7:00AM GMT 01 March 2010

Previous of Images Next Making sure: Tommy Bowe scores Ireland"s determining try conflicting England Photo: GETTY IMAGES Full focus: England"s Jonny Wilkinson runs at Ireland"s Jonathan Sexton Photo: GETTY IMAGES Twickenham joy: Ireland"s Keith Earls celebrates his side"s second try Photo: GETTY IMAGES

They are contenders, at least, if far from being champions. There is courage there, if small genuine sparkle. But there is a clarity of each other, one that suggests there is bargain of their predicament rather than blank-faced continuation of it, as reflected in the difference of Jonny Wilkinson.

"This is as bad as Ive felt in a prolonged time," pronounced Wilkinson, whose forsaken idea 9 mins from time lighted unrequited hopes of victory. "When you dont design to lose, it hurts you more."

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In that regard, at least, England can take a little condolence with them on the tour north to Edinburgh to competition the Calcutta Cup conflicting an additional Celtic cousin hurt focussed on giving them nowt.

Ireland longed for one plunge into in a hundred at Twickenham, sworn statement to their own togetherness, to their savvy and intensity at the breakdown, but equally, to Englands miss of a match-winning slicing edge.

Ireland had it in the considerable form of Tommy Bowe, Europes majority rapacious finisher; England did not, Dan Cole accounting for their unique try, the swiftly-improving Leicester column surging over from, oh, half a behind yard mid by the second half. In the way, it was a decent score, borne of swindle and guts. But even though England finished roughly 3 times as most passes as Ireland (140-58), they frequency acted a genuine threat.

England sojourn a intermediate force, no improved than that. Their centre midfield pairing of Riki Flutey and Mathew Tait was terribly muted. Flutey needs to be some-more successful whilst Tait still has to remonstrate the sceptics that his gait and change can recompense for the sort of pile-driving threat that Mike Tindall (only not long ago recovered from a six-month injure leg tendon problem) brings to the fray. There are couple of alternatives and England are improved to hang rather than turn for an additional fledgling combination.

There was some-more vigilant in their proceed on Saturday; as well most in the early phases where, for once, they competence have been suggested to flog some-more rather than pass laterally. Ireland pounced on the contingent error, Jonny Sextons masterfully weighted kick-through teeing up Bowe for his initial try with perceptibly 3 mins gone. Sexton is a genuine talent. Compare the pointing of his flog with that of Mark Cueto later, the wing wasting his splendidly-timed sweep-round intrusion by over-clubbing his grubber. Sexton done it see easy. Its not.

Englands kicking diversion stays poor. Ireland worried England in the early stages with diabolical steeplers destined towards Ugo Monye. Early in the second half, Wilkinson directed a flog towards Cueto. It landed in the beholden arms of Ireland full-back Geordan Murphy with nary a tingle of the eyes.

England were feeble at times, giving afar chunks of possession. Their line-out additionally spluttered. It was easy to censure Wales conflicting France for the dual free interception tries they gave the opposition. Far some-more damning, if less discernible, were the eight turnovers conceded by England. Ireland were incited over usually once. Now that is intelligent rugby, difficult of mind, technically positive and clinical. Ireland showed it in their insurance of the round as most as they did in their finishing.

There was an additional noted point of difference: the ferocity of Ireland, in the counter-ruck as well as in their ball-carrying. England simply do not have sufficient yardage. Irelands behind row, with Stephen Ferris and Jamie Heaslip to the fore, absolutely eclipsed their conflicting numbers.

England were detrimental to lose Simon Shaw to a shoulder damage so early. His participation was sorely longed for throughout, at no time some-more tellingly than in that last

25-metre mauling expostulate towards the Ireland line. It was stopped only 4 metres short. England were barbarous that arbitrate Mark Lawrence gave the put-in to Ireland. Technically he was correct, as the round was hold up, but it cut England no slack. "One of the biggest pieces of defensive rearguard action," as Ireland harlot Rory Best put it.

Englands defence, meanwhile, routinely so reliable, was bust far-reaching open for the match-winning try. It was as well simply spread out additionally for Keith Earls bid in the 57th minute, Danny Cares misdeed carrying since Ireland opportunity. But Bowes clincher was a genuine sickener, suggestive of Springbok wing JP Pietersens try in the second Lions test. Wilkinson, James Haskell and others were left floundering.

There will be no indiscriminate changes from England. Shaw looked limb whilst Ben Foden ought to reinstate the out-of-sorts Delon Armitage.

England right away transport to Edinburgh and Paris. They will need to safeguard the a highway to redemption, not ruin.