Ireland v England Highlights Rugby Union

Welcome to Dublin, less than two weeks until the start of the Rugby

World Cup and Alan stopping them from winning the Grand Slam six

months ago. Since then, both teams have stuttered through warm-up

matches. It's looking a little untidy. England have gone off the

boil. And it is going to be the second try! Williams is going to

score. For nothing. Wilkinson. The throwback to the day England won

the World Cup. Loses possession... England will be so disappointed to

lose that so easily. And Wales get the triumph! That was a remarkable

defensive effort. England been used. -- bemused. He just let go. Ireland

making a real mess of some of these breakdowns. The winning try for

Scotland. Sexton was crying for that. That has to go down as a

defensive error. Trimble came in there but he felt the worst of that.

Chaotic play. He read that well. That was an opportunist try. Defeat

again for Ireland. A final chance for that all-important confidence

booster head of New Zealand. The squads have been named for the

greatest rugby show on earth. The omissions have made the headlines

so tough decisions for both coaches. You have to make the call and we

think we got it right. We will find out, if you get injuries in a

certain position we could look good or silly. That's always the way.

you have to get the squad down to 30 and people have to understand.

We felt desperately sorry for Danny Care. He trained and he made the

best of his sessions. And he played exceptionally well. And for him to

miss out due to injury, I think, is desperately unlucky. But that is

just rugby. I would not consider myself a wild card, I like to think

I can play a very expansive game and make the brakes and ones that

some other guys could not make an ally to enjoy myself on the pitch

and I hope to just play my game. I will not go away from what England

tour as a team and I will play first and foremost for the benefit

of the team and make sure that we win matches. The criteria we would

use was no Hawkeye from the party, historical season, knowing about

pre-season and see how they win games. I am absolutely delighted to

be named in the squad, four years ago was one of the biggest

disappointments in my career so I know what it feels like to not get

positive news on this day so it makes its richer. It is a tough

road over the last six months. I missed some highlights over the

last few months and it is a great achievement to date, all that hard

work that has gone and has finally paid off. I am quite happy that

would ever 15 we put out, they will represent us properly and that is

what we have tried to do since building the squad, you just look

at the quality of the people who did not make it, any 15 I could

pick will do a good job. Wonderful atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium,

I'm joined by Keith Wood, great to see you. All week the talk has been

the omission of Tomas O'Leary and Luke Fitzgerald, has Declan Kidney

got it right? It was a difficult decision but he got it right.

O'Leary and Fitzgerald have struggled with form coming back

from injury, particularly O'Leary and defaulted last week with the

pressure. He did not get selection but Fitzgerald, his form has not

been up to scratch and they have gone for a McFadden, and that he is

on form. Tommy Bowe has scored in March and this is a must-win game?

Tommy Bowe, Stephen Ferris, Allback to the starting for the first time

and it's the first game of the series that is must win. This is

the big one, the one they really need to get the confidence. Five

members of the Martin Johnson squad to have won the World Cup, what do

you make of that squad? England win and compete in World Cups and it's

a great thing to have, to help this self confidence that they know how

to dig their way out of performances and get into the

knockout stage. It is a really tough squad so it is probably one

year early to really get to the top of their kin. But I believe they

can beat most games -- most teams. A big, physical squad, is that the

policy, grind their way through? World Cup games are attractive and

England can go from a position where they are not going to win

anything and can revert to type and that is why Johnny is here, he is a

good step because he delivers for England. Every time the big

pressure comes. Last that reshuffle, James Haskell switches to number 8.

It is unsettling, it is nervous and it shows how pressurised these guys

are, any small injury, of the field, because this is important but not

as important as a couple of weeks. Chris Ashton is in for Ireland, he

lit up the Six Nations, maybe he is the star in the back line? He knows

that and he has these beautiful lines so anybody some -- anytime

somebody makes a have break, he is difficult to defend. The 124th

meeting between Ireland and England. Brian Moore and Andrew Potter on,

a couple coming back in. The likes of David Wallace, making his first

start of the month. Stephen Ferris is back on the blind-side, Jerry

Flannery gets the chance to show he is the man and the back line is

missing Brian O'Driscoll, it rests with Keith Earls on the outside

centre at Tommy Bowe on the wing. And with injury, Geordan Murphy

starts at full-back. One of the big returns for England is Andrew

Sheridan after his shoulder operation and Nick Easter has an

injury. Number 13 under Martin Johnson, Tindall and Manu Tuilagi.

On the bench, scrum-halves, Conor Murphy and the untested Joe Simpson

for England. The referee, Nigel at the Aviva Stadium, the final

warm-up for both of these sides and a fumble at the start. And the box

kick from Eoin Reddan. Taken well by Ben Foden. And the charge

immediately from England. All in white. Will consider. The little

coming in. In the end with the early possession. The early assault.

-- England. James Haskell tries his luck. Wilkinson, again. And still,

England hold onto it. Manu Tuilagi looking for it. The ball was loose

but will salvage by England. Carried on. England, within 15

metres. A very bright start from the visitors. Wilkinson. Tom Croft

is there. The Irish defence England attack for the moment.

Wilkinson tries to step around one bought Ireland a good few yards.

The deep ball attempt from Wilkinson. And roars of approval as

that slides wide. That is a promising England attack but it

ultimately comes to nothing. Jonny Wilkinson decided that was his only

option, indeed. England, the initial intense burst of activity

was matched by Ireland, who never actually looked like conceding much

of the gain line. So, all is even after the first foray. Chris Ashton

back on the side. Just about even after the first. England on moved.

Nigel Owens having a look. James Haskell goes. Andrew Sheridan on

his return to the side. Manu Tuilagi. Charges on! In for the

try! Straight through! My word! The Leinster coach. He predicted that

he could be a sensation and the World Cup and that isn't a bad

start. It looked unpromising, one on one but he simply went the other

side. He took that with alacrity. When it came to the youngest of

seven brothers, he took that so well. That was a poor attempt at

the tackle but he has got the pace. against Wales three weeks ago. And

a bad start for England. Watkinson, looking to add an extra two points.

-- Wilkinson. You never doubted him. England have a seven-point lead

restart. It comes to England. O'Driscoll resting. Ireland did not

want to have Manu Tuilagi and Tindall running at them. Here he

Thompson. He looks on, disbelievingly. Penalty to Ireland.

The kick at goal. Which Ronan O'Gara would have been very

confident that making. I imagine against Wales. A couple of weeks

ago. You want to win but you want Fourie has had a bright start

actually. Knock on by Ireland. Scrum to England. And never been in

doubt, Fourie could figure in the World Cup. He is not in the squad,

so it would have to be amended, but surprise. Thought he was going to

be on TV duty. Ireland have the penalty. And a chat is coming the

way of Courtney Lawes. You didn't have to stop him running through,

it's a penalty. Back you go please. efforts. A decent scrum from

Ireland, disrupting the England flow and Ireland will have that

ball. A big chance lost for England. Good defensive work in the scrum

for Ireland. They will have the put engage. I know it is slippery

Engage. The pitch is breaking up. A big shove from England and England

have the penalty. The scrum was turned around, but at the second

attempt England win it back, win that ball and it may be a kick at

goal for Jonny Wilkinson. Smiles for Steve Thompson. Ireland

standing up to stop the drive. You can see the England drive comes on.

Ireland going backwards. A relatively easy chance for three

points to Jonny Wilkinson. Sheridan back in the side, back after his

shoulder operation. Ireland with much to ponder after that scrum.

Buzz that -- because that front row of Ross and Keeley, is a decent

thing. England stretch their lead to seven points again. Well Ireland

very slow starters in their two Tests against France. Both times

ending in defeat, as they were beaten against Scotland in August.

And a slow start for Ireland here. there. Penalty to Ireland. Nigel

Owens being quite clear. And again not a shot at goal for Ireland, but

a ball into touch from Ronan O'Gara. What do you think of this tactic?

Well it's a big gamble. If it goes right, everyone will praise them.

But you have to remember, Ireland have lost three in a row. If they

lose this, going away with a four game losing streak is no good to

them. Ireland have to win this game. Ireland have a penalty again.

penalty. Now what will they do? Reddan with the quick take, looks

for support. Cueto, thought for a moment he was being called back. A

chance lost for Ireland. Penalty to Advantage to Ireland. Still they

come. Manu Tuilagi claims Wallace, but back they come for that high

tackle penalty. Oh and David Wallace is down and he is beating

the ground in frustration. I think he knows something has gone badly

wrong. This would be dreadfully sad. I'm sure he is not thumping the

ground in pain. Oh dear. Roll on to your back. I will turn you on your

back. That was not where the injury happened, that was just a good

charge by Wallace. I can't see anything there. It was when he was

taken into touch. Instantly his face was contorted. The stretcher's

on. Worrying, Brian. It is worrying. I think he -- his knee has just

gone. Delon Armitage. Palmer has come on x Cueto is off. And the

forwards are reshuffled for England. But all attention now focused, I

say most attention on Wallace. But Ronan O'Gara with the penalty as

well. So three more points for Ireland, but at what cost? Nigel

Owens has issued a general warning to England, three penalties, it

happens again, somebody will be going. So England have got to be

careful now. Time enough for Ronan O'Gara to take and to slip and one

Number? The touch coming on. Yeah, number? It is a high tackle by

green. We haven't got the number. A penalty against you. Penalty to

England for a high tackle. REFEREE: Time is out. You haven't told me

yet. Here we see... Well that is given as a high tackle, I don't

think that is a high tackle. that is a high tackle it is

Courtney Lawes. But I didn't think the high tackle that he gave

against England was one, so... ends in a penalty. Another attempt

for golden boot. Martin Johnson in the score board tick over, Jonny

Wilkinson. But the throw is loose and Manu Tuilagi takes it. Does he

have the legs? Manu Tuilagi charging on. Murphy takes him. Manu

Tuilagi looks for support. Not quite. Not quite the pace. Must go

spared, so nearly a second try for Manu Tuilagi. It could have been a

dream first half for Manu Tuilagi. And England should be kicking

themselves, because whatever happened, they needed to score

points there. He was first up, alive. Does what he is right, to

change the ball into the left hand, so he can fend off with the rate.

That is good covering work by Murphy there. You have to give him

credit there. He is angry, because that ball should have been moved on

earlier. Frustration for England Ireland have that penalty. The

England tackle not releasing. The chat with the England captain is

forthcoming. REFEREE: This is an official warning. Next offence is

going to go. They are not listening to the laws of the game. Not just

me. Tell them to release. That is clear, I thought he had given an

official warning earlier on. Second official one. The final, final

warning. Now it's Healy who is down injured for Ireland. I don't know

what Ireland are think think of doing, but they should take the

points here. They are going to take the points. REFEREE: Are you happy

to carry on? We will wait then. Manu Tuilagi is a bit tired after

his 80-metre charge. Healy is back up. He took a few hefty knocks

against France last week, as well opportunity for points. And Ronan

O'Gara, from the halfway line, does his job and arrogant go to within

four points with four minutes within seven metres. The LUAS pass.

No not gone. The call by the touch judge. But that is have time.

Plenty to interest both sides and plenty to play for in the second

half. Martin Johnson talked about starting this game with intensity

and they got off to the best possible start. Six months ago, R&R

bong and intensity but from the very start, the hand off on Keith

Earls but defensive and out of sorts and he coasted over 30 yards.

But some of the intensity has been phenomenal. Are we looking at

perhaps one of the stars of the World Cup with Manu Tuilagi. He has

great skills and has that X Factor, whatever that is. But let's not be

came up too much. Ireland have been deep into England territory but

interesting that they opted to kick for touch instead of the points?

There seems to be a difference in the mindset, if they had taken

chances they would be in the lead. I think it is risky. They need the

confidence. The doctors are busy, David Wallace has a knee injury and

it looks pretty serious. It looked awful, he was pounding the ground

in frustration. And his head in his hands. You just feel for these guys.

Flying out next week and he could be out of that but the doctors are

all over the place. The intensity has been incredible. What do

Ireland need to do? More composure and take chances. Are England on a

way to their first win since 2003 in Dublin? Let's join the

before they head off into this week to New Zealand. And the restart

taken by a Manu Tuilagi. Both of these sites charging down.

Eventually, it fell gratefully to Wilkinson. So, the line-out worked

an occasion for Jerry Flannery in the first half. Ronan O'Gara and

Keith Earls. And Geordan Murphy goes off. You cannot say that has

not been coming, it came at the start of the second half but all of

those warnings from the first time. And England down to 14. It is an

accumulation. The referee ran out of patience. You cannot say that

England have not been warned about that. The bright sunshine now.

Ronan O'Gara stands with a perfect He just gets that away but a very

useful kick it is. Quickly-taken. Murphy has it now. Ronan O'Gara.

amount of ball-carrying. -- he has done. A little bit of a knock on.

And England will have the ball at the scrum. He does not mess too

down it goes. The referee seemed to have ignored that. Armitage. Dan

field for England. But just before words doing what they do. -- just

the four words. Tindall and Armitage. Carried on by Courtney

Lawes. You may well see the drop goal from Jonny Wilkinson. Not yet

in position but certainly favouring trite, surely, for England? And

Armitage is there. Ireland had nothing on the blind-side, their

defensive system. The back row, they get to him. That was well

executed. Here we have that super kick from Mike Tindall. Very simple

in the end. Just looking at the replay, was there any hint of

offside? You cannot see from there. Jonny Wilkinson with the tightest

of angles. Taking England to 20. Making a huge difference. Ireland

have had their opportunities but they have had not done anything.

And on comes Rory Best, the Ulster hit her. Replacing Jerry Flannery.

And Chris Ashton. England's down to 14 men. They had stretched their

lead since the time he has been off. So, first touch for Rory Best.

Stephen Frears. Chris Ashton not yet allowed back on. Big collision

at midfield. Here is Stephen Ferris. His first start since January with

all of those problems with his knee. And here is O'Connell. Penalty to

Ireland. Lots of penalties being conceded. England, again,

committing an offence at the breakdown. And they carry on. They

will find themselves with another man down. And Chris Ashton, still

waiting. He is allowed back on. As Ireland by themselves and good

touch judge has his flag out. And a little bit of a scrap off the ball.

Play goes on. Advantage Ireland. The touch judge still has his fly

for the laws of the game or you're not listening to be... We have

standards. Either start listening or people will go. Is that clear?

Off you go... I am glad that he has said that because this game has

been spoiled by too many penalties in both ways. What Nigel Owens

needs to do is send in people. was a bad error from Wilkinson. He

was kicking so well, perhaps some over-confidence, trying to get too

much. Did not find touch. And met with roars of approval from the

Lansdowne Road crowd. At the end of the day, RN are 11 points down.

They are at home and they are staring at full losing streak

before the World Cup so they need function but England to have it.

Tindall. Big, muscular carrying. Tom Croft lurking in the wing. The

but comes in from O'Connell, fine, says the referee and Ireland have

the ball. Another chance for the counter-attack. He gives it across

to Keith Earls. Nobody chasing. We will have a chance to look at that

again. This was how the ball was burned. Comes through the middle.

Well, I am afraid, Denis Leamy was in front of that and he was allowed

to play. Then we get that footballers died. -- dive. And you

can hear what Lansdowne Road think of that. That was a dive. The rain

is coming down, now. In Dublin. probably cannot see this from the

cameras, but it is straight down the pitch, into the face of the

English. It is a lovely stadium that some of the spectators are not

half. He completes the back line. That was a good touch. It is all

about adapting to these conditions. The Irish forwards have to get to

the England forwards and make them give the bad ball back. I don't

think many people expected this weather! 18 minutes to go. Still 11

points in it. Quick hands, on the ball. And Murphy is underneath this

one. Paul Murphy, just about sets himself free. Rory Best. Jonathan

Sexton is on. Nothing he can do but of field position. But that will

not be any good unless they can The ball has been spilled. Armitage

almost charged down. But that is a marvellous kick. You are talking

nearly 65 metres, there. Into the final 10 minutes. Amstel, 11. So

too long. Again the crowd thought there was an off the ball incident.

But it doesn't matter, because Armitage's kick was wild. That is

the important thing, he has given Ireland the throw. We're into the

last ten minutes and Ireland have got as good a position as they have

had all game. Certainly in the second half. They need to make

something of this. 11 points down. They haven't looked like going over

teng line up until now. -- over the England line up until now. It is

not often that Ireland play here in Dublin and do not score a try. They

badly need one. Just three towards touch as Darcy came away

with it. That is too easy for the England defence there. Ireland had

control of that maul, didn't direct it. Was that ball spilled? Irish

scrum to come. On the last occasion, Ireland kept the ball and drove.

They will want to do that this time needed in these six minutes

remaining. REFEREE: Who is the captain now? A change for England.

Off goes their captain, Mike Tindall. On comes Toby Flood.

Tindall he seems to be feeling his ham string a bit. But a job fayrely

well done by Tindall today. So in the six minutes remaining, Ireland

need a score now. They have the ball, they have the scrum, they

come to England's try line in the it is wide and there is a bit of

space. Bowe screaming for it and the kick comes. But that was a

waste. That was the right option, had it been done ten seconds

earlier when he was on his own. an Irish supporter, they have been

so good for a gue good few years. But they have not been impressive.

They have looked incoherent today. They have drifted badly at the back.

They haven't been able to dominate midfield. O'Driscoll not playing

in midfield. Bowe with nowhere to go. And Mike Ross... Ireland seem

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 58 seconds

with this. Into the final two playing off a static ball and has

to make ground. No wonder he can't make momentum. Ireland plodding

away to no avail. A bit of zip seems to have been lost from their

up like a sponge. Ireland have had the ball now for about two minutes

and they have gone 10 yards. Nobody there to claim that ball for

Ireland. Still they have it. But still no way through. Just seconds

Lansdowne Road, but nothing is happening for Ireland. The final

attack from the men in green. Darcy, a double hit. A game which they're

going to lose and they have lost David Wallace as well, their open-

side flanker, a man of great experience, to a nasty-looking

injury. England have the ball and they will get it into touch as soon

as they can. It is a total mess, nobody's fault says the referee.

But a mess sums it up for Ireland. But for England an impressive win

to take to New Zealand. Well they have won away from home by 11 point

and they will be much happier. Ireland go into the world cup with

four defeats in a row. Worrying for Ireland, something for Martin

Johnson, two wins from their August series against Wales and against

Ireland here in Dublin. Two tries to nil as well. Fairly comfortable.

to nil as well. Fairly comfortable. England win 20-9. Martin you asked

for a performance with intensity and you got it? Yes I thought we

did. A big penalty count again us in the first half. That made it

tough. But I thought in that driving area and around the break

down we were good there. A lot of disruption. Pre-game and during the

game, with losing Nick and Tom Wood and losing Henry. But the guys

handled it well and we will have to do it again in the tournament.

was a stop/start game. We couldn't get any tempo and the mistakes

killed us. A few turnovers early on which cost us and then you know

just too many mistakes. You can't play like that. We played here six

months ago and played error-free rugby. How much were you spured on

by what happened in March and in Cardiff? Massively. We had a

meeting last night and it was one of the first things we brought up,

the feelings after the game at the end of the Six Nations and how we

felt we had let ourselves down. We we are determined not to come here

and let Ireland enjoy the energy and the intensity. I thought with

did a good job. David Wallace went off what looked like a serious

injury. Is he out of World Cup? is not looking good, but until we

get the full prognosis, it would be inappropriate the make any more

comment. How far can you go in the World Cup? We have a squad that can

compete to the end. It won't be easy, we know that. But we have got

the squad and the ability. It I about going there and putting in

the performances week after week and then once you get to the knock

out, it is turning up in the pressure situations. The perfect

send off for England. For Ireland four defeats from four. They kept

saying that there was, it didn't matter whether they won or lost.

But I think it mats they have lost all four. I think with 20 minutes

to go, they look like a team that was shy on confidence and seemed as

if they had had the stuffing knocked out. Were they struggling

for leaders? There was an element of that. Ireland have struggled

when O'Driscoll doesn't play. He does a huge amount of ruck work and

of defence work that seems to engender something more positive in

the team. That was lack today. didn't seem to have the same

ferocity that they had six months ago. Yes, that is what worries me.

Ireland, they play with passion and intensity and then tend to be as

good as most teams. Today I felt they were off that mark and that

England had it in spades. They actually, you know they hit

everyone with the greatest level of intensity and comfort. They looked

comfortable with the idea that they would play. How far can this

England side go? How knows, they have a good draw and they do know

how to play in this competition. They can consistently win the knock

out matches, playing either lugly rugby, whatever they need to do.

But today I thought they looked composed and played with intensity

and kicked when they needed it. Ireland's pool, Australia, who

beaten New Zealand today and Italy who almost beat Ireland in the Six

Nations. It will be tough? Italy will be setting everything in the

next month to beating Ireland. That will be their World Cup and their

opportunity. Ireland have the chance to beat Australia and we

have been close to them in the past. But Australia looked Mag Nith sebts

and -- magnificent and it is going to be tu. I still expect Ireland

too get out of group. So close to the tournament, David Wallace, just

come back, looks very serious? was so unbelievibly uncomfortable

viewing. You carry the risk of losing placers of quality. Who will

win the World Cup? I have said not with hind sight, I said it all the

time, Australia. Thank you. So the warm up matches are over. Now can