RE: 2014 Six Nations
RussyRover > 22/02/2014, 17:13
ENGLAND vs IRELAND
Ireland can take the triple crown today if they win, that would put a smile on Brian O'Driscoll's face as today he equals George Gregan's record of 139 international caps.
Ireland have the more experienced side, so can they make that count?
But it's England who's at the try line first in the 6th minute, Ireland hold it up, but the English get it out wide and Jonny May goes over the line. It's a close call (for Ireland) as the ball isn't grounded, no try... The Irish survive and get the ball away. Ten minutes gone, still 0-0...
That woke the Irish up as it's their turn to put pressure on the English defence, but the play breaks down and they give a penalty away, 19 minutes and still 0-0...
24 minutes and first points on the board with a penalty taken by Owen Farrell, 3-0 to England...
Not many scoring chances, so when Farrell misses a penalty, that's a chance down the tube in a very tight game... I thought it would be tight, although tight with scores, that 38 total point line the bookies put up looks way off in the distance, still the second half to come yet though...
England's Billy Vunipola is down, with what looks like a twisted ankle. He's off, Ben Morgan is on as his replacement...
A last minute attempt by England, but Ireland sees it off easy enough, that's the whistle...
HALF TIME: ENGLAND 3-0 IRELAND
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Ireland mean business from the restart as they force a line out in the English 22, Heaslip gets it to Rob Kearney who obliges by getting over the line TRY.... and all because of a penalty given away by May because of a push.
Jonny Sexton adds a penalty a couple minutes later, 3-10, now it's starting to liven up...
England start to apply the pressure, it's looking good but they only come away with a penalty as Farrell pops it over, 6-10
I said it was livening up, England break through the Irish line and Danny Care goes all the way for the try under the posts, back in the lead 13-10.
There's plenty of to-ing and fro-ing as both sides create attempts that either break down, or get turned over, there may be no scores but it's not dull...
Brian Moore selects Mike Brown as MOM, and that's it, Ireland give the ball away, the 80 minutes are up and England and Stuart Lancaster look particularly happy...
FULL TIME ENGLAND 13-10 IRELAND