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That’s all from me, join my lovely colleague Dan Gallan for Wales vs Scotland.
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That match was a lot in real time, so have a read of the full match report here.
Richard Warwick emails
“Is it really just three weeks ago when the consensus of many ‘expert’ opinions was ‘Say it quietly, but this really could be England’s year, possibly even a first Grand Slam in years’. Which is why, even as a chastened England fan, you just have to love sport. Wales are in dire straits so that was as close to a formality as it could be, then clumped by Scotland and frankly hammered by an Ireland team that was apparently in a terminal death spiral. What do we know eh?!”
I mentioned Ireland’s world ranking of firth in the preamble. This result, with a victory margin of more than 15 points means Ireland will climb above both England and France to sit third.
Maro Itoje
“Ultimately we weren’t accurate, we got into good positions but couldn’t score. We all know it wasn’t good enough. We need to look after the ball, because ultimately we turned the ball over to much.”
For the second week running, England were ripped asunder in the first half and could find no way back. The worrying thing for Steve Borthwick is that he changed selection only for the same thing to happen against another team displaying dynamism. The basics were also appalling for at least the first 25 minutes: lineout, scrum, kicking from hands, tackling all poor.
Ireland were transformed with a pacey and powerful performance, with the halfback pairing central and McCloskey and Balacoune a revelation in this tournament so far.
Simon Lyttle on the email has a bone to pick with me:
“McCloskey ‘the chunky Ulsterman in his 30s on the turn’ has obliterated the English defence today. Bit of respect please.”
Oh that was meant with all the respect in the world and more a comment on Smith not being able to go the distance. McCloskey has been incredible in this match.
FULL TIME! IRELAND SECURE A RECORD VICTORY AT TWICKENHAM.
80 mins. The ball is fumbled forward with very little happening from the home side, and that will end the match for a walloping Ireland win.
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79 mins. England have a lineout midway in the Irish half, which they win and send into midfield.
78 mins. The game is winding to a crowd murmuring end as everyone accepts the inevitable. England with a scrum in their 22 and carry the ball away with a penalty advantage in the bank.
TRY! England 21 - 42 Ireland (Sam Underhill)
75 mins. Ireland cock up the lineout and the pressure is applied immediately by England in the 22. A succession of carries ends with Underhill muscling over.
Ford converts.
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73 mins. Marcus Smith takes and interception and is running free in open pasture from 60 metres. He throws his head back and is caught by McCloskey, racing back like the Mallard under full steam, and clattered into touch.
Yes, you read that right. England’s quick lad was caught by an chunky Ulsterman in his 30s, on the turn.
70 mins. As David Lloyd would say when the result is certain in the cricket: “Start the car!”. England fans appear to share the sentimet as plenty are leaving already.
TRY! England 14 - 42 Ireland (Jamie Osborne)
69 mins. The ball comes off the top of lineout and is immediately into midfield for the carries to commence, and they come hard. Osborne uses all that energy he conserved in the bin to hit a fabulous angle and drive to the line.
Another two added by Crowley.
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68 mins. Ireland waste zero time to rampage back up the field and into the England 22. The home side are all at sea and desperate defence leads to an inevitable offside penalty. The ball is put into the corner and Ireland will come again from a lineout.
PENALTY! England 14 - 35 Ireland (Jack Crowley)
66 mins. From the lineout, Crowley sends a fabulous towering kick towards Arundell who fields it just as Balacoune arrives and is immediately in all sorts of bother. They manage to get the ball away, but under pressure at the next ruck Pepper seals the ball off.
It’s bang in front and Crowley kicks it. This is now a record points total for Ireland at Twickenham.
63 mins. A first phase pattern from England works the ball from the lineout all the way out to Freeman, but a fantastic covering run and tackle from Balacoune puts him in touch on the 5m line. Ireland win the lineout and have another victory for Pepper gripping Gibson-Park and thus giving away a penalty for playing the nine at the ruck.
61 mins. Ford takes the ball up and is caught all alone with no-one to offload to, and this is all the invitation the Irish defence need to swarm around and hold him up to win a maul turnover.
This cannot be capitalised on, however, as England win a penalty at the resulting scrum.
PENALTY! England 14 - 32 Ireland (Jack Crowley)
58 mins. England bring the push on early and the ref awards a free kick to Ireland that is tapped quickly then rapidly leads to the home defence being caught offside. Crowley calls for the tee and slots it.
56 mins. A loose ball from the restart is won by Ireland and in the melee that follows England lose the ball forward. The visitors have a scrum just inside England territory, and a chance to have a breather and stymie England’s gathering momentum.
YELLOW CARD! Jamie Osborne (Ireland)
54 mins. Osborne was very deliberately offside in the build up and the ref isn’t having it.
TRY! England 14 - 29 Ireland (Ollie Lawrence)
53 mins. A Crowley bomb isn’t regathered and instead is fed into the midfield by England, where McCloskey puts a massive hit on Lawrence. It looked very no-armsy to me, but the ref isn’t too concerned. Pollock is back on, and takes the ball in the 22 to race to the right and find Freemans busting for the line. He’s held up short but the damage is done to the Ireland defence and exploited by moving the ball back left to Lawrence to waltz over in open space.
Conversion added.
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51 mins. The home forwards pound the Ireland line once more, but it’s a little frantic and not very organised. This is confirmed when the whistle sounds to award the penalty to Ireland for Jamie George croc-rolling a defender.
49 mins. The sub did not have the desired effect as Bealham is driven to Wimbledon by a massive Genge shove. From the lineout England bring the ball to the left into Smith’s hands who finds Arundell, but his run is shepherded into touch. No matter as England were playing on an advantage from a lineout infringement.
46 mins. Ireland are back in the English 22 after Van Poortvliete added more stupidity to the performance by gobbing off to the ref and getting marched 10 metres. More bruising carries result in a nothing but a handling error.
Farrell goes to the bench, replacing Furlong with Bealham.
Some top statting on the fly here by Ryan Cooper
“Of the five previous England games where the ref’s been subbed, England won all of them except the Wales game. A good omen?”
I would say not, Ryan.
TRY! England 7 - 29 Ireland (Dan Sheehan)
43 mins. The penalty is tapped and moved left via a couple of efficient rucks to Sheehan who forces over.
Crowley adds the conversion to hammer another nail in the result of the game.
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YELLOW CARD! Henry Pollock (England)
41 mins. England have some workmanlike carries then clear to O’Brien who finds Crowley to send up a massive bomb. It’s O’Brien who chases and wins it to feed Doris to bump Genge and set off on a storming run into the 22 before Smith does enough to stop him. They are over the line but not grounding, but it’s professional foul by Pollock that stopped the ball coming out.
Second Half!
We’re back for more of this cavalcade of afternoon fun
“I think it’s fair to say that England HAVE to get the next points in this game to stand any chance.” says Stephen Halliday. “I don’t think England will win regardless; which will mean from three games, that’s two losses and a win against Wales which right now is meaningless. France will smash them in Paris and could Italy get their first win? Quite possibly. That would put England in last place of the places that were realistically up for grabs, sorry wales. Would that be a sackable offence?”
That’s the spirit, Stephen.
“As a neutral observer (NZ/France), Lee, I’m loving this match.” says Alistair Connor.
"This Irish team is on its last legs, but England are a complete shower. It’s nice to see Crowley getting a run, he makes a difference, can’t they nominate someone else to do the place kicks? Nice to see Marcus get half a game, but why is he replacing Steward and not Ford?”
I think Borthwick wants more pace on the field away from out-half, Alistair. Steward is good at a few things, but running fast is not one of them.
Chris Healy sends this into the busy half-time postbag
“You have to get the basics right at test level and Ollie Lawrence gave a perfect example of how not to tackle your opponent. Ireland’s move was slick, but if Lawrence stops McCloskey maybe Ireland don’t score there. England making it easy for Ireland right now. Missed kicks to touch and missed tackles in midfield. Not good enough so far.”
Yep, Arundell also bit horribly on Sheehan to let Balacoune free in direct lead up to O’Brien try as well. Basics.
“When was the last tie a referee was substituted?” asks Peter Walker. “I recall England v Wales 1970, the unfortunate ref broke his leg somehow. Gareth Edwards was also taken off injured and Chico Hopkins took his place.”
Well, Peter, lucky for you James Stafford on Bluesky has this trivia gem
“This is the sixth time a referee has been replaced during an England rugby match due to injury.
1970 v WAL
1999 v FRA
2001 v FRA
2001 v RSA
2011 v FRA
2026 v IRE”
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Half Time!
Everyone have a lie down for a few minutes, that was a lot!
TRY! England 7 - 22 Ireland (Fraser Dingwall)
40 mins. Freemans charges up to the 5m line, stopped by Beirne, but the ball moves lift and finally a 22 entry results in points for England as Dingwall muscles over from a few metres.
Ford converts.
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39 mins. Another England sub as Marcus Smith replaces Steward at fullback. Another big tactical call from Borthwich very early doors. England have had most of their joy in broken play or when they move the ball, so the coach is likely calculating Smith’s snazz and jizz-jazz will add more to this as they are already chasing the game.
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37 mins. To loud sarcastic cheers, Ford finally finds touch with a penalty out of hand. The home side execute a front peel back to George who is stopped before the line by a brave and solid hit by Balacoune. The ball doesn’t emerge and Ireland get a relieving free kick.
35 mins. More decent progress from England up the right after Pollock wins a crafty turnover. Lawrence finds Arundell, who cuts inside but can’t find a pass to a team-mate as the scrambling green defence gets amongst it.
The ball is moved to the left where McCloskey is penalised at the breakdown.
“This is embarassing!” emails Robert Jones.
Not if you’re Irish, Robert. Not if you’re Irish.
31 mins. This game is over already, and “Fields Of Athenry” is loudly being sung around Twickenham. Who predicted this after half and hour? If you say you did you are lying.
TRY! England 0 - 22 Ireland (Tommy O'Brien)
30 mins. Play restarts and moves left through Irish hands to Balacoune who has vacated his wing to line up in the left 13 channel, running free. He draws the last defender to him and pops to O’Brien to walk in.
Crowley converts.
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REF INJURED!
29 mins. Ref Piardi sprints a long way to catch up to a Van Der Flier break and collapses, stating “I heard it pop”. He’s off! Pierre Brousset will take over ref duties and Craig Maxwell-Keys is handed the touch flag.
Also, Jamie George is on for Cowan-Dickie and Van Poortvliet has replaced Alex Mitchell. The scrum-half was injured, the hooker was not.
YELLOW CARD! Freddie Steward
28 mins. Before Gibson-Park wrestled clear to make the pass, Steward was illegally tugging at him at the ruck. Ref Piardi says it was cynical, denied a linebreak for the scrum-half and Steward should have 10 minutes to think about it.
TRY! England 0 - 15 Ireland (Robert Balacoune)
27 mins. First phase ball finds McCloskey on an oustanding, old school, crash ball angle in the 12 shirt. He races through the defensive line for a full 20 metres before Steward stops him, but Gibson-Park scoops up the ball and loops a pass to the wing for Balacoune to dive in the corner.
Crowley misses the two.
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24 mins. Gibson-Park is away after a loose ball from a kick is muffed by Steward. He has the line at his mercy, but a blast on Piardi’s whistle stops him in his tracks as he judges Steward was played in the air by O’Brien! On the replays, it looked like it was two players competing in the air fairly to me, and England have got away with one. But if history has proven anything, it’s that what I reckon matters very little.
22 mins. There have been some decent moments for England with the ball, but overall they have been ramshackle in the extreme. The latest example is a lineout won, then a horrible pass that Mitchell has to dive on, then all his clearing players seal he ball off in the confusion.
Ref Piardi awards the penalty to Ireland, but Crowley pulls it left of the posts from the tee. Score remains the same.
TRY! England 0 - 10 Ireland (Jamison Gibson-Park)
20 mins. Ireland get the ball out of a scrum and fire it all the way to Balacoune, who is on the outside shoulder of Arundell and galloping. He pops the ball inside to O’Brien and two phases later Freeman is offside at the ruck, which is all the opportunity Gibson-Park needs to tap it quickly and race to the line from 15 metres. Intelligent stuff from the scrum-half as he knew all the England defenders were standing offside and couldn’t touch him.
Crowley converts.
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18 mins. The ball is soon back in English hands, with more joy coming from strong carries from the forwards faciliated by fast ruck ball. Genge is again prominent, moving them up to the 5m line. Ford pops a pass to the prop once more, but it’s not accurate enough and goes loose to Lowe who boots it up the field and promptly collapses in pain.
He’s off, replaced by Tommy O’Brien.
16 mins. Ireland have the ball in and out quickly, but in the short time that was happening Genge forces a collape from his opposite number. Not that this matters a great deal as Ford shanks his kick touch-in-goal and ruins the penalty platform. Usually Engalnd’s banker, he’s not having a great game at all.
15 mins. Play is trapped in the middle third as both teams have some possession that they work through hands; some top drawer handling from both teams under pressure. Ireland have a glimpse of a chance to find Lowe, but the long pass from McCloskey is yoinked from the air by Freeman. A few phases later another English handling error gives a scrum to Ireland on the halfway line.
12 mins. A solid set of phases finally from England, and their power starts to show through a Pollock carry, then more from Lawrence and Genge to move up to the 5m line. They move the ball to the left, but it breaks down in the 13 channel and is hacked away by Balacoune, rolling into touch on the 10m line.
10 mins. Ford misses touch with a penalty that he sent deep towards Ireland’s right corner. That’s yet another error in this poor start from England. However they soon have the ball back from Osborne’s clearing kick.
PENALTY! England 0 - 3 Ireland (Jack Crowley)
8 mins. Another mangled possession from England as McCarthy storms through the lineout maul and rips the ball. Gibson-Park has a dash up the middle that forces the home defence offside. There’s nothing coming on the advantage and Crowley decides to cement the early advantage for his team onto the scoreboard.
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6 mins. The scrum forms, and for a moment it appears England are about to be shoved backwards, but it wheels and Ref Piardi decides it’s due to Loughman walking around on the loose head side. Penalty England, which is cleared to touch by Ford.
4 mins. An anticlimax for all concerned as the scrum ends before it begins with England pinged for early engagement. Gibson-Park taps it quickly and finds a good touch in English territory that comes back on the green side after Cowan-Dickie can’t find his lineout target. Mainly because none of his players bothered jumping! What a mess.
The ball is moved left towards Lowe’s wing via Sheehan lurking in the 13 channel, but it’s Ireland’s turn to spill the ball forward. England have a scrum near their own 5m line.
2 mins. The clearing kick from Ireland is returned by England with some carries up to the Irish 22. Ford floats a cross-kick to the right touchline where Steward claims it, but he’s quickly wrapped up by Lowe and two phases later a knock-on in midfield hands a scrum to the visitors.
First test for what has been a very creaky Irish scrum in the tournament so far.
Kick Off!
George Ford puts his foot through it and we’re off and running
Officials today
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant Referee 1: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant Referee 2: Gianluca Gnecchi (Italy)
Television Match Official (TMO): Matteo Liperini (Italy)
Maro Itoje takes a huge ovation from his home crowd as he enters the arena alone on the occasion of his 100th appearance. The teams emerge soon after into a overcast but very still afternoon in south west London; the conditions are ideal for rugby.
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It’s England captain Maro Itoje’s 100th cap today, his latest appearance in a brilliant career. At 31 years of age you imagine there are plenty more caps to come to add more lustre to his already achieved England all-time great status.
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Henry Pollock starts his first international game today, and Rob Kitson has thoughts on it.
And the dropping altogether of Sam Prendergast is given some historical context here here by Brendan Fanning
You can send me all your thoughts on proceedings both prior to an during the match via the email. I look forward to reading them.
Team news
Changes galore, and notable ones at that, across both matchday squads.
Steve Borthwick hands fan and media darling (and bloody good player) Henry Pollock his first start in the back row, where he will be joined by the returning Tom Curry. In the backs Tommy Freeman returns to a wing berth at the expense of Tom Roebuck, which brings Ollie Lawrence back into the centres. The bench is a 6:2, with Jack Van Poortvliet and Marcus Smith as the backs options.
For Ireland, Andy Farrell has decided his favourite child Sam Prendergast is not for this fixture and is left out of a matchday squad for the first time since his debut in November 2024. Whatever your opinion of his abilities, this must be incredibly tough for the young bloke. Jack Crowley returns to the starting 10 shirt and he will line up alongside Jamison Gibson-Park to marshall a backline that retains Rob Balacoune and James Lowe on the wings. Josh Van Der Flier is back at openside, and a late injury to Jack Conan promoted Cian Prendergast to a 5:3 bench that has Ciaran Frawley as out-half cover.
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Teams
England
Freddie Steward; Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Fraser Dingwall, Henry Arundell; George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan‑Dickie, Joe Heyes; Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum; Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Henry Pollock.
Replacements: Jamie George, Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Alex Coles, Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, Jack van Poortvliet, Marcus Smith.
Ireland
Jamie Osborne; Robert Baloucoune, Garry Ringrose, Stuart McCloskey, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson‑Park; Jeremy Loughman, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Tom O’Toole, Finlay Bealham, Nick Timoney, Cian Prendergast, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Tommy O’Brien.
Preamble
“Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?” were the parting words of John Lydon at the last ever Sex Pistols gig in 1977, before the lead singer moved on to his long fermentation into a middle England MAGA muppet. Fans of both these teams may be asking themselves some version of the same question.
England’s crowd must wonder what is the reality of their side. Are they the team of twelve undefeated matches and months and the growing confidence it brought, or that which looked so very second best at Murrayfield last week?
And what are Ireland’s followers to make of a head coach that delivered their finest moments, but appears to have either no discernible plan for how his side transitions into a newer era, nor a countenance that suggests he’s relaxed about it. Is Andy Farrell as great as previously thought when he can’t even be coherent about who should play 10?
With teams both taking the field today on the same record of played two, lost one in the tournament, a win today is a practical requirement to move towards a preferable finishing position in mid March. Wider than that there is some drifting to be arrested. England need to consign the loss to Scotland into the “blip” column, while Ireland must regulate their move towards dropping out of the top five in the world rankings via a performance that demonstrates this is not as inevitable as it feels after two rounds.
Come the end, nobody may actually feel cheated, but someone will definitely feel defeated. Find out who with me over the next few hours.
