England edge Ireland in tense Twickenham showdown

Duncan Bech 10:33 23/02/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Handled with Care: England No9 Danny Care (r) scores the decisive try at Twickenham.

    England ruined Brian O’Driscoll’s Twickenham farewell and created a four-way shootout for the Six Nations title after ending Ireland’s Grand Slam quest.

    The decisive moment of a compelling encounter arrived with Danny Care’s 57th minute try, enabling Stuart Lancaster’s men to turn a 10-6 deficit into a 13-10 lead that they never relinquished.

    O’Driscoll, making a record equalling 139th Test appearance ahead of his looming retirement at the end of the season, stood with hands on his hips in frustration as Care dashed over.

    The 35-year-old’s 13th and final appearance against England ended in bitter disappointment as Ireland’s Triple Crown and Grand Slam hopes evaporated with a first loss of the Championship.

    When Rob Kearney capitalised on slack defending to touch down under the posts, the Irish had established a commanding position underpinned by a 10-3 lead.

    But the Red Rose rallied with a display of trademark character to register their fourth successive victory in the fixture.

    “Pardon my French, but I thought we showed massive balls to go out there and play like that,” England attack coach Andy Farrell said.

    “We’ve confronted head-on our ability to up our game in the last 20 minutes. All credit to Ireland, we knew what type of game they would come with. It was a different type of game for us to handle because Ireland really tried to take it to us with their set-piece and mauling.

    “We had to be at our best and hang on in there at times because our legs had gone.”

    Remarkably, the score had been limited to just 3-0 in England’s favour at half-time as defences reigned, the rivals taking it in turns to trade blows in an absorbing tie.

    Ireland’s starting XV contained 422 more caps at 724, but it was panic-free England who looked the grizzled band of proven veterans in a nerve-shredding final quarter.

    With two rounds of the Six Nations remaining, England, Ireland, France and Wales remain in contention for the title with Twickenham hosting Warren Gatland’s side next on March 9.

    For the second successive game the magnificent Mike Brown was named man of the match with his run to set up Care’s try the high point of another outstanding afternoon.

    The Harlequins full-back was influential as England made a bulldozing start, producing a diving catch off O’Driscoll’s chip and then speeding free from the breakdown.

    Seventeen phases passed as the Irish defence came under pressure, but when England went wide in search of the try they blundered.

    “Mike Brown’s goalkeeper save when there was no one behind him in the first half after our kick on, that was probably the defensive highlight, even without anyone having to make a tackle,” said Ireland coach Joe Schmidt.

    Owen Farrell landed the first points of the match in the 23rd minute.

    He then struck the left post with a second penalty attempt before England suffered a damaging blow when Billy Vunipola fell awkwardly on his right ankle and had to be rep-laced by Ben Morgan.

    Captain Chris Robshaw made a brave call with a minute of the first half remaining, opting for touch instead of taking a long-range shot at goal and the gamble failed when Luther Burrell knocked on.

    Just 82 seconds after the interval Ireland raced ahead when Jamie Heaslip sent Rob Kearney darting through a hole at the breakdown on the 22 and the Leinster full-back easily evaded Brown.

    Sexton converted and added a penalty, but the deficit was slashed to four points by Farrell following a great passage of play from the Red Rose.

    The pivotal moment arrived 16 minutes into the second half with an outstanding try launched by Robshaw’s break through the midfield.

    Recommended