Six Nations title still in Irish hands but England serve notice of new relationship

The Ireland team applaud the fans after the game.

Half-time and the safe space that was Twickenham’s away dressing-room was still three minutes away when George Furbank knocked on in the tackle near the Irish 22 and with the visitors’ elastic defensive line about to snap.

The entire game to that point had been an assault on the pre-match senses with Steve Borthwick’s side bringing all the power and the passion that was expected but allying that with an incisiveness and dynamism that had the Grand Slam holders scrambling.