Six Nations Rugby: England give Ireland first-half drubbing

England 31, Ireland 6 (half time)

England have given Ireland a first half drubbing as revenge for October’s defeat at Lansdowne.

England were seeking a 14th successive home win and on top of that, they also knew that a winning margin by 16 points or more would see them take first place above New Zealand in the official Zurich world rugby union rankings.

England immediately brought full-back sensation Jason Robinson into the action, breaking the initial line of Irish defence in characteristic fashion with his first touch.

Then fly-half Jonny Wilkinson broke clear in space from inside his own half Ireland again snuffed out the danger - before the visitors responded through a Geordan Murphy run inside five minutes.

The early intentions from both teams were encouraging, but Leicester wing Murphy suffered an injury after that break, and was led away by medical staff to be replaced by Munster centre Rob Henderson.

Humphreys booted Ireland ahead on nine minutes with a penalty after Johnson was adjudged offside by Australian referee Peter Marshall, yet Jonny Wilkinson levelled the score just two minutes later from his first shot at goal.

England’s forwards were starting to relish their task, and a strong run by hooker Steve Thompson almost put Ben Kay away, but the Leicester lock spilled possession under pressure and Ireland cleared.

England then lost prop Graham Rowntree through injury on 17 minutes, heralding veteran loose-head Jason Leonard’s arrival.

Ireland should have restored their advantage two minutes later. Humphreys though, sent an angled 22-metre penalty chance sailing wide.

Both sides were keen on securing quick possession for their backs, and England almost scored in the 22nd minute.

Wilkinson was again the catalyst, dancing into space and feeding flanker Neil Back, who almost put wing Ben Cohen over in the corner.

But within 60 seconds of that narrow failure, England made Ireland pay as Kay and Thompson combined majestically and Wilkinson scorched into space for his third international try.

The Newcastle fly-half converted, yet there was more to come within two minutes as England cut Ireland open from deep.

Wing Austin Healey ran menacingly, and possession was shipped through the hands of centre Mike Tindall, flanker Richard Hill, number eight Joe Worsley and scrum-half Kyran Bracken before Cohen finished off a stunning 70-metre move.

Wilkinson again added the conversion, and despite Humphreys kicking his second penalty, England were in control at 17-6 ahead approaching 30 minutes.

Ireland were visibly rocked by England’s attacking intentions, and continued great work by the pack set up another scoring opportunity from which the Six Nations champions pounced.

Half-time could not come soon enough for the Irish, but seven minutes before the break, England collected their third try.

Thompson’s wonderful running was again to the fore, freeing Cohen in space, and his inside pass found centre Will Greenwood, who galloped clear and handed Wilkinson a simple conversion for a 24-6 advantage.

The punishment was not over though as England collected Joe Worsley scored his fifth try for England and Wilkinson duly converted to leave the scoreline 31-6.