Ireland 20-32 England

INPHO
Author: Alex KeeryPublished 2nd Feb 2019

Ireland suffered a crushing defeat in their opening game of the 6 Nations as the defending champions were outclassed by a ruthless England team.

Any early Irish optimism was quickly extinguished with the opening try, scored by England after just 93 seconds.

The visitors moved the ball quickly through the hands of Farrell and Daly, and Jonny May was sent clear down the left to run in a straightforward try from 15 yards to stun Ireland.

An 11th minute penalty from Jonny Sexton was the first shot fired in reply to the early English assault, and Ireland were then handed a numerical advantage as England's Tom Curry saw yellow for a senseless late hit on Keith Earls.

It allowed Ireland to build some rhythm, and eventually grab a try as Curry returned to the game. They kept the ball tight in the forwards for several phases before Cian Healy burrowed over the line to send Ireland into the lead for the first time, with Sexton adding the extras.

An unusual handling error from Jacob Stockdale then allowed the English back into the game. The winger was chasing back to defend a kick, but struggled with an awkward bounce and fumbled the ball in the in-goal area, which allowed Elliot Daly to pounce on the loose ball, with Farrell converting from wide.

With the last action of the first half, the English captain nailed a penalty to open a 7-point lead, and give Joe Schmidt plenty to think about at the break.

In the 54th minute, the boot of Sexton narrowed the gap, as he slotted a penalty awarded after some clumsy English defence, but the visitors soon took control with another try.

Jonny May's kick down the left was chased down by Henry Slade, who dived onto the ball to send England into a 22-13 lead in the 67th minute.

Although Farrell missed the conversion, he added a penalty 3 minutes later to send the English into a huge lead in the final 10 minutes.

It was extended as Slade crossed for his second try after intercepting a pass inside the Irish 22, before sub John Cooney grabbed a late consolation score for Ireland.