Ireland fight back to record memorable win

England A 18 Ireland A 33

It was a perfectly timed boost to Ireland’s Triple Crown hopes at Twickenham today as Ireland recovered from an early English barrage to stamp their class on the proceedings.

Coach Bradley played a major role from the sideline, making timely substitutions to help keep England at bay, while O’Driscoll won the man-of-the-match award with a marvellous display.

“England hit us for six early on, but we recovered brilliantly. I thought our pack was exceptional in coping with a strong challenge, and we hit back with some good constructive tries. Overall, I don’t think England can have any complaints,” said Bradley.

There were none from English coach John Wells. “Ireland played better than us, individually and collectively. We tried to play expansive rugby, but we overdid it at times. In the end, Ireland played the more clever rugby,” he said.

England started the game at 100 miles an hour, quickly taking the lead with a penalty from out half Shane Drahm, before adding a try from winger Paul Sackey.

Yet, though Ireland looked certain to face a drubbing, they did hit back with two penalties from Jeremy Staunton.

It got better for Ireland after that. While they launched some serious attacks, England’s defence proved formidable, but they did concede a penalty in the 33rd minute, which Staunton missed.

Yet, Ireland kept on plugging away and Ian Dowling was sent in on the blind side for a try that gave Ireland the lead for the first time.

England drew level a minute from the end of the half when Drahm kicked another penalty, but Ireland were not to be denied for their strong second-quarter performance. The Irish pack, through Mick O’Driscoll, re-captured possession in the middle of the pitch. They drove forward in a wave of attacks right to the English line. Though repelled time and time again, Staunton skipped in for the try when Ireland changed the direction of their assault. The out half converted to give Ireland an 18-11 lead.

England had an early chance in the second half but Drahm miscued his penalty attempt. Staunton did the same after 13 minutes, but Ireland prospered when Kieran Lewis followed up, took the bouncing ball and crashed over for a try that Staunton converted to push Ireland 25-11 in front.

The advantage was cut almost immediately when Michael Lipman powered through for a try and Drahm converted.

But then it all went wrong for the home side. Staunton hit back with a penalty and Robert Kearney grabbed a 72nd minute try after being sent home by Dowling.

England could have scored near the end, but it would have been a mere consolation score against an Irish side that followed the lead of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War of Attrition. It was all of that, but the war was won, and won well.

ENGLAND A: M Van Gisbergen (Wasps), P Sackey (Wasps), J Clarke (Northampton), O Smith (Leicester), C Bell (Leeds), S Drahm (Worcester), S Perry (Bristol) captain; T Payne (Wasps), A Titterall (Sale), S Turner (Sale), L Deacon (Leicester), T Palmer (Leeds), A Beattie (Bath), C Jones (Sales), M Lipman (Bath).

Replacements: D Armitage (London Irish) for Smith (37), D Ward-Smith (Bristol) for Palmer (61), M Cairns (Saracens) for Titterell (62), N Wood (Gloucester) for Turner, S Vesty (Leicester) for Van Gisbergen (both 73), N Walshe (Bath) for Perry (79)

IRELAND: R Kearney (Leinster), T Bowe (Ulster), G Duffy (Harlequins), K Lewis (Leinster), I Dowling (Munster), J Staunton (Wasps), T O’Leary (Munster), R Hogan (Connacht), J Fogarty (Connacht), B Young (Ulster), M O’Driscoll (Munster) captain; M McCullough (Ulster), N Best (Ulster), J Heaslip (Leinster), S Jennings (Leicester).

Replacements: R McCormack (Leinster) for Hogan (55), C Keane (Connacht) for O’Leary, R Wilson (Ulster) for Heaslip (both 67), L Cullen (Leicester) for McCullough (77).

Referee: C Berdos (France)