Ireland's Six Nations ambitions took a humbling blow at Twickenham this afternoon where England exacted revenge for their defeat in Dublin in October with an impressive 45-11 victory to stretch their unbeaten home run to 14 games. Eddie O'Sullivan's men were riding high following their record victory over Wales a fortnight ago, and the signs looked good when Davis Humphreys put the visitors in front after nine minutes. However, with Man of the Match Johnny Wilkinson, Jason Robinson, Ben Kay and Austin Healey all in inspired form, the home side went over four times without reply in the first half, to condemn Ireland to a disappointing defeat.
Wilkinson, Ben Cohen, Will Greenwood and Joe Worsley all crossed the line during an enthralling opening 40 minutes in which England dominated, while Wilkinson converted all four efforts to give the home side a commanding half-time advantage in front of a jubilant sell-out crowd. Another Humphreys penalty accounted for Ireland's other points in a one sided half, but the visitors emerged after the break tighter and more focussed and restricted their hosts to just two further tries and hit back with one of their own from substitute Ronan O'Gara.
Ireland's game-plan came unstuck when the injured Geordan Murphy had to be replaced by Rob Henderson with just eight minutes gone, and when the impressive Wilkinson went over for England's first try after 23 minutes there was no looking back. Ireland were always second best from set-pieces with England enjoying the majority of success from line-outs and scrums, while their use of the ball in open play was at times breathtaking.
England were well worth their 31-6 interval lead and although Ireland improved in the final 20 minutes, a home victory never looked in doubt. Roan O'Gara, who replaced the injured Henderson at half-time, scored a consolation try for the Irish just before the hour, but the game was well beyond them at that stage and England held on for a deserved 34 point win which keeps their Grand Slam aspirations alive.
Filed by Shane Murray
