As it happened: England v Ireland, Six Nations championship
MATCH WINNER: Marcus Smith of England kicks a match winning drop-kick during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in London, England. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Thanks very much for following our live updates on a dramatic day for Irish rugby. We go again next Saturday when Ireland welcome Scotland to the Aviva Stadium. Reaction and analysis from Twickenham to follow over on our website throughout the evening.
Ireland miss the chance to win the Six Nations Championship today and their dream of winning back-to-back Grand Slams is over.
England with the penalty advantage. Ireland clinging on at their line.
Ireland with a lineout now close to their own line.
Ireland have the ball back and Lowe boots it up the pitch.
England with the ball and are on the attack again.
Tough kick with the wind, in fairness.
ENGLAND PENALTY AND THEY ARE GOING FOR IT. A LONG WAY OUT!
Lowe repeats his first try and Ireland are back in front. Crowley can't convert.
Penalty Ireland. Kicked to the corner. They win the short line-out and are pushing for the line.
Peter O'Mahony's sin bin is over and Ireland are back to their full compliment. Ryan Baird takes his place.
Hugo Keenan thinks he's in for a try but play is brought back.
Andy Farrell rings the changes as Kelleher, Bealham, Henderson and Conan replace Sheehan, Furlong, McCarthy and van der Flier.
Ireland can't withstand the English pressure with a man disadvantage and Ben Earl powers his way across the line. Ford adds the easy extras.
England take a penalty advantage close to the line.
Penalty England and Peter O'Mahony is sent to the sinbin.
Frawley will not be returning to action. England have gone to their bench and brought on an all new front row.
45mins ENG 8-17 IRE
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 9, 2024
James Lowe gets in for Ireland's first try of the game as they increase their lead against England at Twickenham.
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Conor Murray in for Ciaran Frawley, who goes for a HIA.
Some game this. George Furbank hits back for England but Ford's kicking continues to be an issue.
Crowley sends the conversion wide of the near post.
That's more like it from Ireland! Quick right to left and James Lowe goes down in the corner.
HT: ENG 8-12 IRE
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 9, 2024
Four from four for the Ireland out-half to hand Ireland a four-point half-time lead against England at Twickenham.
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Crowley sends over his fourth penalty of the match,
Crowley's penalty drops just over and Ireland lead, somehow.
ENGLAND 8 IRELAND 9
England win their eight lineout out of nine. They're on the attack again but close to the halfway line.
As impressive have England have been, they must be disappointed to be only two points ahead. Ireland can only get better, surely.
Penalty England, their fifth of the match. Ford sends it well wide though.
Brilliant from Robbie Henshaw and Ireland regain possession.
Ireland scrum and they clear the ball to the halfway line.
....but it will be checked
Short line-out by England and they almost cross the line. Irish defence holds them up and are able to clear but back come the hosts.
Crowley makes no mistake, firing over the penalty from close-range. A much needed score for Ireland.
Penalty Ireland and a big chance to cut the deficit and claim back some momentum.
Calvin Nash's HIA has been made permanent so Frawley will take his place for the remainder of the match.
Crowley kicks to the corner and Ireland have a line-out just outside the 22.
George Ford makes amends for his earlier miss as he fires over the penalty.
Ireland struggling to deal with England's intensity. Penalty England.
ENG 5-3 IRE
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) March 9, 2024
5 mins Ollie Lawrence goes over for an early try for England at Twickeham.
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Penalty Ireland just as England looked dangerous again. Good work from Josh van der Flier.Â
Penalty England will allow them to clear their lines after a spell of Irish pressure.
Ciaran Frawley is in for Calvin Nash, who has been forced off for a HIA.
England miss the conversion as Ford's effort drifts wide of the far post.
Ollie Lawrence goes down in the corner, great attack from England! Nash is receiving treatment, he was hurt in the build-up to that try.
Crowley splits the uprights with ease. Great start for Ireland.
Ireland penalty and Jack Crowley is lining it up.
Loud rendition of Ireland's Call, clearly a big Irish following in the stadium.
And the two teams are now out on the pitch, almost time for kick-off.
The two teams are in the tunnel, so how are we all feeling?
Donal Lenihan: With ball in hand, Ireland show class and clarity. England are not there yet. To read more, click here.
Elsewhere, ITALY HAVE BEATEN SCOTLAND 31-29 IN FRONT OF A SOLD OUT CROWD IN ROME!
It's the Italians first home win since 2013! When they beat Ireland, of course.
Ronan O'Gara: Surely the English chariot has to go down swinging? Click here to read the Ireland legend's thoughts.
WWAD (what would Andy do?). Andy Farrell: tactician, analyst, leader … and the master at bouncing back. Click here for more.
Amidst all the excitement surrounding Ireland's clash with England this evening, it has been announced that the two teams will also clash on the opening weekend of the 2025 campaign.
You can all read more about that below.
Ireland versus England in the Six Nations, it doesn't get much bigger than this.
Particularly from an Irish point of view when they can move one step closer to reclaiming the championship crown. And, dare we say it, another Grand Slam title.
It's a shame it's not on in Dublin really but instead Twickenham is the venue as Andy Farrell's men look to create more history.
For the best of the build-up and for live updates on the best of the action, stay tuned to this live blog.
For the best of the reaction and analysis from our men in London, stay tuned to website throughout the evening.
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