England v Ireland Six Nations Rugby

A break with tradition or the start of a new tradition? England arrive

at Twickenham and walked through the fans to the changing rooms. Stuart

Lancaster sees this as another part of his strategy to establish an

English identity to emphasise the heritage of the team. England are

still in contention but Ireland have an eye on the Grand Slam.

The England team have walked through the West car park and they have gone

beneath the famous gate and they are in the corridor outside the dressing

room with the Stuart Lancaster doctrine on the wall, millions

behind you. The English contingent at home watching on television. 82

thousand at Twickenham. But this is the Central Bank, hundreds before

you, the players representing England today the latest recipients

of the shirt with the red rose. Heading towards the dressing room,

many of those famous names, Jason Leonard, Rob Andrew, Ben Cohen. The

home of England rugby. Every single player who has ever represented

England is now on the England wall of fame. Going back to that first

international 143 years ago against Scotland. And then you come to the

dressing room. Shirts laid out, as an England player you realise you

are the 1347 person to represent your country. Ten years ago, the

England side that came in here came in as world champions for the first

international said the drop goal in Sydney. Their opponents were Ireland

and as now, big reputation. The shock of all times at

Twickenham! That was the beginning of the end

for England 's World Cup winners and triggered a run of success for

Ireland with Brian O'Driscoll at its heart. And he equals George Gregan

's record number of cuts at 139. Stuart Lancaster has guided England

to victory for two years. Dashing number of caps. Today could be as

important as 2004. An England win will keep alive hopes of a second

title since 2003, the year of the World Cup when Andy year away from

the World Cup final at Twickenham. -- win. -- and a year away. Fence 's

hopes were pitched last boat -- were -- last night. -- ruined. And it

looks as though the wooden spoon is heading to Italy. England wants to

turn Twickenham into a fortress and the stadium is branded differently

with slogans. It does feel different. It is a magnificent

stadium and it feels different to days gone by. Carry them home is the

slogan. Jeremy Guscott and said Clive Woodward, does it have any

bearing on the game? -- Sir. It is for the supporters, the intensity

will be there and the support will be noisier. The guys will have felt

it as they would have had to go further. As a player, when you what

in the changing room, you focus and you think about what you have to do

and the match. Joe Schmidt is the Irish coach, hailed as a tactical

genius after the demolition job on Wales a couple of weeks ago. What

will his approach be today? That is premature, it is one game he got

entirely right. I think they will move it around a bit more but it

could be a kicking battle at the end but it will be a high level of

aggression. And a bit more expansive. How much is this a

tactical game of jousting? Ten years ago, three forward passes by the

Ireland team! A sour face! Moving on! It is a tactical game but

coaching is about how you change things in the game. Both coaches, we

have done a lot of analysis. Especially England on the way I

demolished Wales. Ireland will do different things and that is the

secret, to get the opposition thinking. You can change the game. A

fascinating game. We keep talking about the match in Dublin. All the

shortcomings of the Welsh, the Irish were very, very good. -- for all the

shortcomings. Magnificent by Johnny Sexton!

That was such a good ball by Johnny Sexton!

This is the drop kick! What a drive! What a finish this

would be! Use goes, what a performance by the

home team! -- there he goes. Tactically spot on in that

impressive victory over Wales, what have you got up your sleeve?

Survival really! Wales probably did not put pressure on their line-out

and Scotland did not, I know that England will with Courtney Lawes

running the show, they will be tough and put pressure on us. I think they

will try to destroy a maul. They may use the same tactic against us so we

will have to be prepared. Owen Farrell is a competent kicker so

they could put the ball in behind us like we did to Wales. You get into

double jeopardy sometimes trying to think what they are going to do so

we will do what we do as best we can. One of the first tasks was to

persuade Brian O'Driscoll to stay on, how much does he deserve the

plaudits of George Gregan 's record? He is central to others and the

wheel turns around him. He is very humble as well and he just does his

job and he does it professionally and with courage and other people

take courage. They become professional as a result of that.

Good luck. This is the Irish team trying to

make it three from three. At six foot ten, Devin Toner report

pressure on. It is the Courtney Lawes and Paul O'Connell battle that

will set this light. Peter O'Mahony has been the star turn. Contrasting

styles with the halfbacks. Johnny Sexton is key to Irish success. The

Irish Central pairing has 200 caps more than their counterparts today,

we will find out whether experience and youth wins out. The brothers

delivered against the might of Wales. They have more elusive

contenders today. A try on its debut for Ireland 12

years ago, no wonder Paul O'Connell 88 caps later is revered all over

the world but his heart will for ever be in Limerick.

He has a good record against England in Twickenham. Does it hold a fear

factor? The English players and management talk about making

Twickenham a fortress. I do not look at my record and save this is one to

look forward to, I looked at current form and England or any incredibly

tough, hard and physical team. -- they are an incredibly. That is what

you look at. The maul became for Ireland the play of the weekend.

Historically in Ireland, we have always had a big stall in the maul

and that is one of the most difficult thing to do. There was

good look as a couple worked well in the first games. -- there was a bit

of luck. One of the teams in a position to counteract you are

England, with a big forward pack. They are a strong side and heavily

based on physicality. It will be very difficult to maul against them,

when you think of their pack, running through names like Courtney

Lawes, they are big men. You have got to pick and choose your moments

and there probably will not be that many against England. Joe Schmidt

has been praised ever since the Wales game. How is he getting on? He

is excellent. That is the first thing that strikes you when you go

out on the pitch with him, he is out with short on no matter what the

weather. You know what side of the ruck you are supposed to aim for. He

can communicate what he wants very well, no problem making a mistake

but if you are not working hard, you will know about it. What do you do

to relax? It used to be relaxed -- used to be to play golf, but I am

Ambassador for the Special Olympics in Limerick, it is something I feel

responsible to do. What have you got out of rugby and were due recommend

getting involved? It has been a great life being the best you can

be. All you want to do is carry the ball in your hands and nobody tells

you how to defend. You have to hit 28 works, from that point of view,

it is mentally tough. -- rucks. Somebody else is always going to be

a star for -- for that, there is a lot of work for you. For forwards,

there are values which I would be eager for Paddy to learn but I will

be telling him, if you can be a professional golfer, I would be much

happier! There is the Irish captain. Hard to

overstate his importance to Limerick. They made him the beating

heart of the city and everybody looks up to him and they see him as

the totem pole for that area. If Brian O'Driscoll is the beating

heart of the back division, in the back row, Ireland have a key figure

in this championship. Peter O'Mahony get up for the Games. To begin with,

he was a bit wild and secure. But to QA with Joe Schmidt coming game, he

is getting detail in -- particularly. Five turnovers in the

Six Nations so far, he is one of the best performers. He is a throwback,

he has a rough edge and a bit of madness which is much to be

supported! Don't try that at home. Moving on to England, we sought in

Cardiff how Wales responded to pleased to make the nation proud and

it is that thinking behind Stuart Lancaster and England 's carry them

home campaign. Stuart, you decided to jump off the

bus early, save in the atmosphere at the ground. What has been thinking

behind that? A bit of feedback, the boys enjoy the walk in and we

thought we would make it a couple of metres further. It is great for the

fans and the players to get the atmosphere of the game before you

get into the solitude of the changing room. Island theme

reinvigorated in the Joe Schmidt. Do you think they deserve to be

favourites? I am not sure it is marginal favourites, we are

confident as well. They have made horrendous progress. They have a

mature team in terms of age and quality, the British lines across

the board and a new coaching team that have got them going and two

wins out of two, in good shape. Much depends on David Wilson at

tight-head. Are you confident he can do a job, given his limited game

time of late? Here's an experienced tight-head and played foot aims for

England. He was informant all he got injured. He has not had the game

time that he wanted but he has an opportunity. Good luck today. thank

you. The front row will be key in determining the outcome today? David

Wilson has played 47 minutes of rugby in the last two months, he has

to put-in a decent shift. If he does not, Ireland will win. Moore has

stepped up this season, he has won line-outs. Billy Vunipola, tit

games, 33 carries, 126 metres made, nine defenders beaten, he's on fire.

Owen Farrell, a big test of his character today. He has to boss the

game, no silly off the ball incidents. Total focus is required.

Twelvetrees has been relatively quiet, but Burrell has made four

clean breaks and scored two tries. Brian has been really, solid under

the high ball and looking to counterattack. There will be space

on the flanks for Nowell and May. We focused on Paul O'Connell but

opposite him today, the towering courtly laws, six, 17 stones and ?7.

Lawes was playing mini rugby at us and old boys' club. I get excited to

play for England, it is a massive honour. I was born in Hackney and

when I was four we moved to Northampton, so I was still pretty

young. I was moreover footballer when I was growing up. I did not

really play rugby. I grew up playing football and tennis, basketball,

whatever I could, really, then got into rugby when I was about 13. I

went to Northampton School for boys and were having rugby trials to set

up their team. It was a sport, I will do it, I was pretty good at

tackling and things like that. His mates came down here to play and he

followed them down, so we were lucky that he chose to come here with his

mates. He could have gone to another club in the town. I came and played

on the wing, I had to come off, someone else on the wing and I

thought I could play second row and that was the first time I played

second row, it was random. When you are kid coming you don't know what

you are doing, you just try to get the ball and play rugby. How are

you? Nice to see you. How are you? I remember I never used to get

showered after the games, I would stick my clothes on and walk home

muddy, my mum would say, "you filthy kid! " ice was lucky in the fact I

was 20 years old and made it so early. -- I was lucky. I am more

experienced than my age tells. There was a tear in my eye when he came

on. This is the most comfortable I have felt in an English shirt,

especially calling the line-outs. Being able to make a mistake without

worrying about being dropped the next week is important. Paul

O'Connell, what is he like as a director -- direct opponent? I am

more athletic than him and if he decides to mark me I will back

myself. It is about who does the right homework. He is a different

player to me. We both pride ourselves on our physicality and he

has more of a leadership role in his group and you have to respect him

but at the same time I will not give him too talent and I am willing to

go out there. JOHN INVERDALE: If you are ten, 11

or 12 years old, Courtney Lawes is still playing ten years from now,

you could be playing opposite him! If you want to join your rugby

class, go to our website and get inspired. The front row is going to

be absolutely fundamental, with all due respect, so Clive, from a

coaching perspective, Stuart Lancaster would not have picked a

player who he did not think was 90% fit? UC David Wilson the shop, he

has played 46 minutes of rugby and two months, let's hope they were

good. He has to go from scrum, to scrum, to scrum. The Game two years

ago did not happen because England demolished the Irish scrum. It is a

huge contest today. He has to focus on the scrum and England will be

fine. The game has changed somewhat, where you can last a little bit

longer because the big hit is not there. There is a huge wrestle but

he will be under pressure. Cian Healy, Clive and I were standing

here in the of either a few weeks ago, looking at the size of Cian

Healy. He has grown so big over the summer. He has blossomed into a big,

hefty loosehead. He will put huge pressure on him and he will test him

and stand up to it. If he doesn't, he will be in serious danger.

Jerusalem rings around Twickenham as the atmosphere builds. We're talking

about this new trick and inspiring England. What effect does always

have on the opposition -- the new Twickenham inspiring England. I

found it a bit contrived and orchestrated. I think it should do

it and talk about it after the fact, not talk about it beforehand but for

the players they will say there is a load of noise, I love it, give it to

me, I want to hear it, people baying for blood, I want to perform on that

stage. England have to be careful. To get the crowd on their feet, it

is what you do on field of play. There could beat egg bombast face.

Get it right and there will be 80,000 people going nuts.

International rugby is all about getting round through defences, so

where have you pinpointed where Ireland might be vulnerable? We saw

in the autumn with Australia, look how much space there is on the flank

and it is a ploy that Ireland likes. They are very narrow and leave the

space out there believing that D'Arcy and O'Driscoll will get to

these players. And turn over the ball. But you do take the risk and

giving good quality players the space and if you give them too

much, into passing, missed tackles and you are in. Even from line-out

they give you the space. If you can't run through it there is the

option of putting a grubber through. New Zealand spotted that space,

Carney has got involved in a ruck and is struggling to get back, Conor

Murray hasn't made the transfer over, they have spotted it, put it

through, you rely on bounce but there was so much is based there and

those are errors that England if they are accurate, they have runners

like Noble-macro and May and they can explore that space -- exploit

that space. Good afternoon in the commentary booth. We keep talking

about the confrontations of Lawes and O'Connell, what about Sexton at

number ten? It will be an interesting battle. I feel Sexton

was majestic against Wales but on the back of the platform so I think

the front row is going to be crucial and then we will see who will have

the upper hand. But I think Farrell is growing into international rugby.

He needs to play a bit flatter. Defensively he is strong. For me,

the all-round game management of Sexton is improving game by game so

I am really looking forward to an interesting battle. Outside Sexton

is Brian O'Driscoll and today is a real statistician's delight because

another weekend of international rugby, yet more records being

broken. Today, it is capped number 139, so he equals the all-time world

record and it is a safe bet, injuries permitting and things like

that, that he will have the world record in two weeks' time. Clive, at

the centre three quarters yourself, where does he sit in the pantheon of

great players? Right up there. In terms of centres, I remember

coaching against him, we went into one player, I worked with him on the

British Lions, a great guy, but he is the talisman for the Irish team,

no doubt. They have to stop him today. I can use Sexton using the

attacking side of the game. Paul O'Connell leads Ireland out. Any

talk about Grand Slams or is it take each game as it comes? Ireland need

to win this game, focus on the other games in a couple of weeks' time.

This is huge. For Ireland and England. There is colossal pressure

on both. You know you will see it in a few minutes, you will see the

bristling aggression that will happen today. This game is about

England's the back of the against Ireland's defence. -- England's

attack against Ireland's defence. Ireland defended so well and turned

over so much ball, I don't think they can be that accurate again.

England have the edge this afternoon. Chris Robshaw, waiting in

the tunnel, and on the replacements bench, George Ford. You have been

talking about the need for an outside half replacement on the

bench and maybe that will be a key element? Absolutely, you needed

goalkicker, this game will go down to the wire. Hopefully Farrell will

last the different -- distance. If he was to get injured we have a

recognised kicker coming on. Tens of thousands of white flags were left

on the seats here at Twickenham, so that creates a real sea of white

especially on the Southampton East stands. Ireland could win the Triple

Crown today, we haven't mentioned that, and they could take third step

towards a Grand Slam and in the battle between youth and experience

it is worth saying Brian O'Driscoll has 33 more caps on his own band the

entire England back division. The championship is on simmer and this

match could bring it to the boil, after the anthems. Commentary will

come from Phillip Matthews, Brian Moore and Eddie Butler.

# Come the day and come the hour. # Come the day and come the hour.

country's call. # From the

# Ireland, Ireland. # Together standing tall.

# Shoulder to shoulder. # We'll answer Ireland's call.

# We'll answer Ireland's call #. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain

seated, now the national anthem led by the band of the Coldstream

Guards. # God save our gracious Queen!

# Long live our noble Queen! # God save the Queen!

# Send her victorious. # Happy and glorious.

# Long to reign over us. # God save the Queen.

A first home game for England in the Six Nations. They have been on the

road in Paris, Edinburgh, they have one when and they are still in the

reckoning for the title -- win. Dylan Hartley is the most

experienced player, the only player with over 50 caps. Wilson has had 47

minutes of rugby in 2014. They have Scott -- they have started to score

tries behind the scrum. Experience for Ireland, a 90th cap for Captain

Paul O'Connell, a 73rd for Rory Best. And 130 14 Ryan a school, he

scored 46 tries, he equals the world record of George Gregan of 139 caps.

A first cut for some players should they come off the bench. -- cup. The

referee from South Africa, Craig Joubert. It is a grand setting for

one of the crucial games of the championship so far. David Wilson

brought in in the absence of dining hall -- in the absence of Dan Cole,

who is injured. Ireland have two home games under their belt and they

have one both. -- won. Devin Toner, the tallest man on the

field, takes the first patch. Ireland get themselves to ground,

too late for Craig Joubert. Good afternoon! That afternoon, if all

the world is a stage, this is a principal stage in rugby and we have

what may decide the game is David Wilson comment in for injured Dan

Cole has to stay strong. If England are better in the scrum, Ireland

will not win this game. -- come in for. Mike Ross is up against Joe

Marler, the England loose-head. And I won't squeeze and drive, and we

win the penalty -- and Ireland. That is the problems -- that is the

problem when hawkers do not hock straightaway. -- hookers do not

hooker. Good afternoon, Philip. Was that the pressure #.

--? It is a decision to step over the ball. They will have to change

that tag. -- tactic. They are rowing already! Courtney Lawes waits and

Devin Toner wins the line-out ball. Brian Driscoll goes past and trove

trees. -- Billy Twelvetrees. Play on, Mike Brown for England in

his own 22. Danny Care weights. -- waits.

Good English defence on Jamie Heaslip. Gordon D'Arcy is held. Owen

Farrell in the tackle. A change of tactics, great footwork

from Brian O'Driscoll and a great save by Mike Brown. Billy Vunipola.

Devin Toner makes the tackle. Rob Carney loses out. -- Rob Keeney.

Under no real pressure. Rory Best, the whole car. -- hooker. An aerial

test for England. Mike Brown comes away with it. These

are the elusive running skills of Mike Brown. Rory Best could not

manage it. I think he spotted an overlap. A

chance on the right wing. Danny Care.

Seven metres from the Irish line. Billy Vunipola again.

Owen Farrell, Courtney Lawes on his shoulder. David Wilson, acting

scrum-half. No way through this time. A good slip to Chris Robshaw.

Paul O'Connell had to make the tackle.

Danny Care. One metre short. They must score if they go right. He

cannot get right! Jonny May scrolls for England! -- squirrels. --

scores. Try or no try, is the call from the referee. The roar from the

Twickenham crowd is as loud as I have ever heard it. Craig Joubert

asks the match official. This is the finish by Jonny May. No!

England have themselves to blame. There were a number of chances when

the ball should have gone wide. That should have gone home. If he had

carried it close to his chest, Jonny May, that probably would not have

happened. That is such a chance and Stuart

Lancaster knows it. They are still in a dangerous area, five metres

from their own line. I can hardly catch my breath. So much in that

first ten minutes. Brian O'Driscoll... Re-Vunipola. Ireland

intended on stopping his momentum. -- Vunipola. It is intense. It is

not just that one that did not get converted, there was another earlier

with a four on two and England did not recognise it.

Ireland hold fast. Great strength in Gordon D'Arcy.

He escapes three tackles! Still going, the Exeter window. -- window.

-- winger. That is Peter O'Mahony. You cannot blame Billy Twelvetrees.

It was fired past. That is harsh, he should take that. That should have

gone! It still should have gone! If they had been watching the analysis

at the start, they would have seen the Irish defence is often tight,

there is space that can England adjust to that and find space out

wide wish to mark -- but can England. -- out wide?

Gordon D'Arcy let's Chris Henry play scrum-half. -- lets. The difference

between last week and this week for Ireland is that England have been

able to escape the tackles and they have not been as far behind the gain

line as they wanted. -- the gain line. -- game line.

A penalty. From your own ball, that should not happen. It was a clearly

won the ball. Joe Schmidt, the Irish coach, will be happy to have escaped

the England pack. No damage on the scoreboard.

The significance of those possessions relative to the score is

for all that advantage, England have not scored. Ten minutes gone, Rory

Best throws long. Quickly recycled. Billy Twelvetrees

does make the tackle this time. Cian Healy is a principal Irish will

carry. -- ball carrier. Gordon D'Arcy.

Rob Keeney drops it on to his foot. Mac -- might Brown is back and

safely watches it. -- Mike. It looked as though it would hold

nicely but Ireland getting a quick ball. England are using Billy

Vunipola at the other end. If Ireland keep this up, they will

stretch the England defence later. Plenty of excitement in 11 minutes.

Owen Farrell sensitise towards Andrew Trimble. -- sends it high.

Brian O'Driscoll, well read I Mike Brown. Gets it away. -- by.

Billy Twelvetrees sends it towards Rob Carney. -- Kearney. Well caught

by Mike Brown over his shoulder. The firm he is in -- the form that he is

in! This is a goalkeeping dive and there

was a lot of space behind him and Ireland would have been favourites

to score. Paul O'Connell knocks on. Courtney

Lawes has an advantage. Rory Best read the tackle but could

not bring Jonny May down. Advantage is over as Chris Robshaw,

the captain, gets away from one tackle. Heaslip has turned it over

for Ireland. There is the strength of Ireland's

loose-head prop. England not rolling away. England's

defensive line speed has been good, that they need to augment it with

leaving the ball when they are on the floor because at the moment when

the line is getting up they are catching Ireland behind the

gain-line, don't need to play on the floor. Heaslip's off-load to Paul

O'Connell was a reaction, he has been hit hard on the gain-line a

couple of times and thought off-load it when probably it was not on, so

England's line has been good, staying close, but Ireland have been

able to get the ball away quickly. What have you found, Jonathan? You

mentioned Mike Brown, look at this incident. We have the two front row

players, the first markers, Mike goes round the outside, great play,

back against forward. But you need the support up there a lot quicker.

He should be there. Rory Best to throw. Peter O'Mahony

wings. In -- Ireland are trying the crossfield kick. A great pass to Rob

Kearney. Ireland are narrow in midfield.

There is nobody further left than this. Rob Kearney was the widest

man. England's French defence is good and

the ball squirts out. -- fringe. A penalty to England! And England

raised arms across the defensive line. England's scrambled defence

just about working. It was not the break by Trimble that has just

gone, it was the one before where he really ought to have scored. England

hanging on, so in tenacity being rewarded but Ireland should have

come away with points, if not try them. That will be a huge

psychological boost to Ireland, the speed and they were not able to get

past the defence. This is a beautiful crossfield kick. And

here, the England outside defender Jonny May slipped.

Ireland do not enter the maul. So England and France towards them. --

soap England advance towards them. Rory Best does not move away quickly

enough. At is the downside of trying to do a choke tackle. If you don't

get it absolutely right, the referee might opinion. On this occasion he

has. The vast majority of occasions Ireland do get it right and they are

the vest -- they are the best at it. I don't know whether it is a 4pm

kick and the extra time in the bar that is contributing to the crowd

noise, but it is as animated as you ever get here. Especially for 0-0.

They have all been in the Bollinger tent that is what it is!

Rory Best, never far away from his opposite number.

Vunipola could not quite get the pass away. Ireland have turned it

over. Conor Murray will go digging in for it. Advantage over. Nowell

has dropped it. the Irish, who specialised in the rush defence,

they are not doing it at the moment. They are being relatively cautious

but they are keeping the line discipline so they have more men in

the rocks. Was this late? Yes, it was.

The father looks on as the sun may be penalised. Jonathan? We bobbin we

saw the overlap and the missed a chance. If we run it on here, look

at the numbers on the right-hand side. A couple outside. It is great

play, they come into close it down but Farrell has to take the step and

give it. A wasted opportunity, then they lose the ball. But I love the

fantastic chance and should have gone the first time.

Conor Murray, the ball is cleared and Farrell comes in, shoulder, no

arms, late. There wasn't much right with that, was there? No. And was

there a little after then? I don't know, I will have to watch. Conor

Murray kicks, Farrell comes in. Now what happens? It may remain a

mystery. Agreed. REFEREE:

It is not okayed to tackle without using your arms, so it is a

penalty. It did not succeed. Not now, Chris. It was late anyway, so

it did not matter. And unnecessary, but because the ball had been

cleared. Bad enough that Ireland are going to get a scrum because England

knocked on, now compounded because they were back on their own 22 with

an Ireland throw. Within that one passage of play, England have lost

70 metres and a throw. Things are so finely balanced here, nobody given a

quarter, so little make -- little mistakes like that can make a big

difference. It is noticeable that Ireland

haven't even tried a maul from the line-out. They have tried this,

though, the crossfield kick. At is a poor option, as well. You know, the

only reason to cross kick like that is if there is loads of space behind

or when you are trying to compete for the ball. That was neither. The

ball was too flat to allow Dave Carney to get under that. -- David

Kearney. Both teams have had significant

passage of play where they have kept the ball, done well, got quick

ball. Little technical errors just that the end of it have prevented

scores for both sides. Both defences are putting huge pressure on the

ball carrier, so you are stealing -- you are seeing mistakes like dates.

It is so finely balanced, it is down to who is psychologically stronger

and who has the patience. Courtney Lawes captures it

eventually. England have earned themselves a penalty.

It has not been absorbing. They have read everything apart from a score,

near misses, variety. Is it out of range? Not out of range, right on

the edge of the range, I would think. I suppose it is a case of all

is well that ends well, if it is a penalty decision, but they could

blame Robshaw. The attack coach of England comes on, a bit of advice

for the kicker, Owen Farrell. Like, make sure it goes over! I always

think when a coach comes on they are trying to buy an extra yard,

somebody distracts the referee and we will pinch I guard. That may be

what you do in Wales, but we are gentlemen in England! 50 metres. The

first kick at goal. Beautifully struck and over! England

take the lead, 3-0. You know, the irony is that while there was a

significant passage, it is a something and nothing offence that

produces the first score. That will be very heartening for England and

Owen Farrell. The deadlock is broken, it took 24 minutes. Along

penalty from Owen Farrell. Both fullbacks, a joy to watch in full

flow. Brown and Cairney, superb athletes, superb runners. A change

of direction, Ireland have split their forwards and Sexton sends it

towards the side, where Billy Twelvetrees safely catches, is

tackled by Andrew Trimble. It is therefore the England halfback and

Farrell makes a good clearance. Two good kicks from Farrell. you take a

kick of the other side, it either goes deep so they have to cook it

from deep, or you get a man under it. That fell between the two.

Absolutely, Nader. It is not that Jonathan Sexton cannot put-in the

big hang in kicks, I would prefer to see it going deeper and make England

play from deep. Maybe they don't want him to have the opportunity to

push things back and they want to push deeper, maybe that is the ploy.

Sunshine on the upper tiers of Twickenham. The temperature is

dropping as Ireland go wide. Ireland have worked the overlap. It

has gone forward. That was loose play and it is

clearly something Joe Schmidt is trying to do from broken play,

getting those runners and creating overlaps where there is little

space. Ireland manufactured by a number of loops what should have

been a significant overlap. The outside men drifted and closed down

the outside space. The wonderful beard of Gordon D'Arcy! That is the

halfway line. And that is a free to Ireland. England chasing.

A series of planned moves. This is where that cut to the outside closes

everyone down. He needs to go straight.

Ireland seem more comfortable on the England ball. England are just

getting that little turn which is making things difficult for Jamie

Heaslip. Kearney is a real pest at his feet. The game last night was

blighted by tedious restarts. I am sure that is what had something to

do -- I am sure that had something to do with the pitch. Twickenham is

much firmer. Ireland go for their second drive. The referee says, play

on. A good pass, Brian O'Driscoll to Gordon D'Arcy. Kearney cuts back

inside. Still going. Owen Farrell is in that ruck.

An outstanding start for Paul O'Connell. England turned the ball

over, David Wilson drops it. They will come back for that knock-on.

Words between O'Driscoll and Brown. Leave it alone. Do not need it.

Good work to turn the ball over by Joe Launchbury. Had Wilson moved

it, he would have had men outside. He is not expecting to get it. Good

work by Cian Healy. Consistency on the highball is a Kearney trait.

Moments in the game so far, slow motion does not get across the

intensity of the atmosphere in this game. It feels like ten minutes gone

and it is 29, it has been one! This is the biggest break we have had so

far. -- been full-on. This is Mike Brown, making a break

and taking the ball high. That is the England perspective. Rob Kearney

has been doing the same from the back for Ireland. Mike Brown, for

the harlequins, watching the scrum. B 131 for Brian O'Driscoll who makes

a great in midfield. -- cap number 131.

Mike Ross did not want that. An untidy conclusion to the Irish

attack. Brian O'Driscoll, a sorry conclusion

to a promising move. Rob Kearney, brilliant. An

intercept. Picked up by Mike Ross. A forward pass. What a player Rob

Kearney is! A joy to watch. I cannot leave Ireland not utilising the

space behind the England defence in these positions. A contrast to the

tactics against Wales, I thought they would be mixing up a bit more.

There is a lot of space behind the England defence, particularly when

the ball is being turned over. We are watching two fallbacks of the

highest quality, Kearney and Mike Brown. -- fullbacks. Ireland have

been solid on their bowl. -- ball. Attacking options are there on both

sides. A penalty for England.

That was not pushing straight. So Mike Ross is pushing back and Cian

Healy is getting a notch on his side. -- nudge. Ross is not going

back, it Cian Healy is going out and round. Whether you consider that to

be a good scrummage depends on which team you support! Cian Healy, if he

does get dominance there, that will look like that anyway.

Still a distance, shorter than his first penalty.

It stays at three -- zero, 22 dropouts. -- 3-0. It missed and it

would have been useful for England. The pass was given to Billy

Vunipola. A scramble on the ball now. It comes

towards England and Chris Robshaw. It is scrappy. Not the best

platform. A player is down on the far side. Jonny May comes in. Still

going. Luther Burrell in support. Conor Murray with the tackle. Mike

Brown is in acres of space, calling for it. Too late. Billy Vunipola is

injured. A good tackle by Johnny Sexton but he could not complete it.

He held England up long enough for Ireland to regroup. The referee

calls a maul, an advantage for Ireland. Billy Vunipola does not

look good and that will be a loss if he cannot finish. It looks like his

ankle. Ben Morgan is already waiting. He made two 50 metre

carries against France. It looks like a twist in the tackle. He just

went over. It is his right foot. It has twisted out. That does not look

good. Not good to see a man down. And there is a lot of him to come

down! He is one of those players every team needs. Ireland have had

Sean O'Brien and coming into this championship without him, that has

put pressure on the team to make up for that. A big disappointment for

England but at least they have another prime ball-carrier in Ben

Morgan. Both teams having success in the first phase defence but both

scrambled defences have worked well. They are sending a cart. He is up on

his feet. You would not want to carry! -- carry him. His day is

done. That is a good sign, at least he can walk away.

A big job for Ben Morgan now. Of all the England carriers, he has been a

successful character. Ben Morgan, of Gloucester, it into the middle of

the back row. -- into. Owen Farrell has gone five metres

through. Jonny May is under it and so is

Andrew Trimble. Advantage is being played. So close for Andrew Trimble.

That is a copy of the play... They are using Gordon D'Arcy from deep in

the 22 to create space to either go again offer Johnny Sexton. -- or

four Johnny Sexton. -- for. In defence here, Owen Farrell. A

very wide outside channel. England drive-on what it is going

sideways and they will have to use it quickly. -- at it. And Morgan in

the net of time. -- just in time. This is Andrew Trimble. Straight at

Jonny May. And he goes the long way round. He finds Jack Nowell.

Is it within range? It should be. It is.

A difficult angle, from the back foot. It is Andrew Trimble, trying

to make up for the loose kick. I suppose the argument goes if the

scrum-half has his hands on the ball, it is out. yes, but you can't

run from an outside position so you can't go from in front of that food.

A good kick by Farrell. Yes, and we have a minute to go. Above all,

England must make sure they end up at the end of this half with a

chance for four points, even if it is a drop goal. Courtney Lawes wins.

It has gone to -- it has gone to ground. The Irish forwards have

worked hard to stop that drive and have done that well.

Time is up on the clock. What will Ireland do from here? I don't

suppose they will launch anything too adventurous.

WHISTLE BLOWS Craig Joubert blows his whistle,

Stuart Lancaster heads to the changing rooms, as do the Irish

players. It has been full of enterprise and running but Billy

Vunipola's game is over. The school, England three, Ireland nil. --

score. JOHN INVERDALE: In the way that some

of the best football matches can be goalless, some of the best rugby

matches don't need tries because we have not got one here, but what a

match. You can't take your eyes off this. Jonny May may have scored the

first few minutes and who knows what difference that would have made, but

he let go of it, the ball was knocked out of his hands. There is

Owen Farrell with slightly late hit which we will talk about in a few

moments but there has been a lot of work upfront. The solitary points

were from Farrell's penalty, although a second shot hit the post

and the third shot he might have had, England did not go for goal,

they kicked for the corner. Vunipola is injured and will not take any

further part in the match. Maybe, if it is really tight at the end,

England not taking three points where they've -- when they were on

offer made the difference between winning and losing, but it has been

terrific. This is international rugby as you hope it always will be.

Two well coached teams, 100% line-outs which shows great coaching

and the defence on both sides has been fantastic. England have higher

-- handled the Irish kicking game than Ireland have handled the

English game. A great game. England should have scored early? Yes, they

had the opportunity. It was well worked. There was a lot of

pressure, they kept hold of the ball well, Danny Care has gone in there.

Look how narrow the Irish defence is. There is heaps of space. That

ball really has to go. Everybody outside should be calling for that

but Billy Vunipola revealed he will get the edge there, slipped tackles

through the championship so far. The spaces is there to go, Danny Care

thinks he can have a pop. There is going to be some serious work after

this because that needed to go. Before it eventually does go it

should have gone a lot earlier and they should have scored. We should

have scored there, it is the communication. You have

Twelvetrees, they have to be talking and demanding the ball, it is

talking that creates the collapse -- overlaps. They finally got the ball

and Jonny May, for everything we waxed lyrical about him, that was a

simple put down. He should have scored, that is what he will feel

and know will stop we see in slow motion. It is good defence but you

would back foot any player to score and it is a disappointment that they

did not get that try but credit to Ireland that they never gave up, the

hat scrambled defence was hard and tough. He should have given it to

Nowell to score. It is one of the treats of Jack Murray, that's

sweeping arm. It is a really good skill, a good discipline to tell a

kid, never give up, try and get an arm in there in case and that was

just in case that time. There have been waves of Irish attack with

Johnny Sexton orchestrating things. There was one passage of play, to

macro -- two or three times when you thought they would score. Normally

Ireland catch and drive, but this was slick. It is beautiful hands,

executed incredibly well. Trimble knows it is coming, he has got

himself in position. If that path sticks, it is a trite all day long

but it bobbles, the defence gets there and it is scrambled and

Ireland go through phases and don't score. Just like England, one myth

is all. We talked about doing things not expected, they are expecting the

maul one it is a score. It is great coaching, a great game, ashamed are

not two tries to talk about but great rugby and that is quality cut

-- quality coaching. What was Schmidt going to do different? The

big thing he has got Ireland doing is the passing ball. In the last

game, they passed the ball, they are already up to 80 or 90 passes. But

when they are kicking, that was the example of a beautiful cake but a

lot of the other kicks have been on the floor, four or five yards out,

aimless, five yards too far or too short. It has not been as exact as

they would like and they have lost something. I don't think they have

the gas. They are lacking pace in the middle and on the flanks and

that is allowing England's defence to handle it easily at the moment.

The front row, we said it would be a key area. England have had three

scrums in the first half, four scrums, and have failed to get the

ball back on a couple of occasions. It is interesting when you see them

coming in. They got penalised on the first two. They panicked a little

bit. In this scrum in particular, they pushed past the line because

they were waiting for the big drive from Ireland. They have a doubt.

This is near the end of the half and they get themselves into a good

position. They are good scrums, all pretty good scrums. They got a

penalty out of that. They seem they are getting away with it, I would

say, a bit more. They don't have the dominance they had two years ago but

it has been interesting. The referee is letting it play on a bit. Owen

Farrell, before the game you said he has to focus on the game and nothing

must happen off the ball and then this happens. He is lucky not to be

yellow carded because it is late, a shoulder barge, no armed, not a

legal tackle. Petulant, immature, something you do not want your

playmaker doing. This is last week. There is no need for it. I don't

know why he does it. There is something within him that comes out

like Jekyll and Hyde. It needs to be drawn in. You could argue he should

not be on the field to kicked a penalty. I think it was a yellow

card. There was an interesting part of that, Cian Healy came running up

in defence. Two years ago he might have reacted but he came up and let

it go and it could be just a maturity thing. I don't think it was

a yellow card, it was a penalty of the referee handed to do well. If he

wants to play like that he has to control it, doing it in the right

parts of the game. You don't want to take the whole thing out of his

game. That spiky element is important. Brown is a very Sir

Michael player -- is a very spiky player, let's not hang the guy. He

needs to get the balance right. Jonny Wilkinson and snatched a few

people as well... Legally! We are agreeing. It could easily have been

a yellow card and he could have been off for ten minutes. You mentioned

Mike Brown. If England have one player who in the last 12 months has

grown into win an international player of real stature, Mike Brown

has had an amazing autumn and is having a fantastic Six Nations. We

see the two 15s in their handling ability, that was a full dive

tackle, I am a Manchester United fan! Unbelievably good play, good

feet, good oppression -- aggression. His placement in the

field, able to read most things that happen, is done very well. You think

when is it going to come to an end but he has been playing like this

for four seasons with Harlequins, got his chance with England on the

wing. You could tell by his body language she was not happy there,

but his skill set is fantastic. he did not take any nonsense from O

Driscoll. He is not saying, enjoy your retirement, he is going

head-to-head with him! He is not walking away from that. That is why

he is a great player. He and Farrell are adding edged to the England team

which we have not had for a couple of years and we are becoming tough

to beat. It is 3-0 here, it could not be much tighter and it could not

have been much closer in Rome where Scotland won in a real thriller by a

narrow margin. COMMENTATOR:

Surely, a trite. -- try. Stand back for the corner, for the

try, Scotland have it. Denton fix it onto Cusiter. Plenty

of power, gets the off-load away. He must score! Dunbar, for his second

try! Advantaged Italy. They have a penalty coming.

He is celebrating already. It is good, and Scotland have surely now

won this match through the boot! Neuer-macro goodness me, 79 minutes

and 50 seconds on the clock, fantastic, Andrew Cotter is still to

come off the scene in. England live is after this match, Scottish rugby

fans after e-mailing us over the last few weeks in utter despair,

send us a few messages of hope and happiness.

We talk about the England World Cup, one of the World Cup players is with

us. Yes, somebody who wore the white

jersey of England with pride and skill, Neil back. We have been

puzzled as to why this game is only 3-0. We have two teams who really

want to play heads up rugby, don't they? For purists it is a brilliant

game, really exciting, the physicality is immense and

tactically you can see both sides beating each other out. Ireland have

moved on from their first two games, a bit more expansive and ball in

hand and they need to do that but England, particularly the back

three, carry on what they are doing and find those links. It has been a

long road back for England in many ways. How encouraged were you buy

what you are seeing of the men in white and a Stuart Lancaster gushed

about What is encouraging as the team -- the teams Manship is there

and the core values, we have to continue progressing the attacking

philosophy which through the Six Nations and what we're doing today,

these young boys at the back have no fear. They have to go for it. That

is the only way we will progress and potentially feature heavily in the

World Cup. There is never any danger of you not going for it. Thank you.

thank you. JOHN INVERDALE: The points to nil

up, you get a penalty within kicking range, England kick for the corner

and did not get any points out of it and you were shaking your head. I

think in the team room last night, if you said this situation, what we

should do, everyone would have gone for goal and they lost composure

there. They should have gone for it, build a score, 6-0 would have been

better than 3-0. We can analyse at the end of the game whether it is

the right call or not. Let's hope the second half is half as good as

the first because this is what watching and savouring International

Rugby Board all about. Let's go back to the commentators.

Tom Wood waits to receive Ireland's kick-off. We are under way cup.

Unbelievably, it is 3-0. Only 3-0. Tom Wood takes the catch.

There is a bit of pushing and shoving. Are certainly was a

Porsche. Whether it was an obstructing run, I don't know. It

doesn't matter. Craig Joubert, who is the sole arbiter of fact on the

pitch. Jonny Sexton takes a long time. He just nudges Ireland to the

22. At what point will Ireland utilise what has been four tries,

the driving line-out? They haven't got close enough yet. Whether they

fancy their chances remains to be seen. This English pack have been

putting pressure on Ireland, more than any other pack so far. Jamie

Heaslip, tackled by Ben Morgan. A quick or! A brilliant pass. To Rob

Kearney! A well worked Irish try. A fantastic line! It worked like a

dream. I just had a momentary thought, well the concentration

levels from the first half be maintained? The answer to that is

that Ireland were sharper. Look at the gap. Almost like what Mike Brown

did at Kearney was coming so fast that nobody could come near him. Not

content to stay out wide, offering options. Seven points. A great

player. Top-class. That was right out of the book of Joe Schmidt.

England's dealt with the kick-off, they got the ball, aged two bit

posh. -- push. Ireland are in the lead, seven points. A curling

finish. The contest continues. That is well done I Billy Twelvetrees.

Tom Wood! To Jonny May. Peter O'Mahony make such an important

tackle. Ireland are going to turn this over. Jonny May has to get his

hands off that ball. There was that concentration again. That nearly

cost Ireland. Just a bit of hesitancy under kick-offs from

Ireland, nobody claiming that. Are Twelvetrees wanted it. The ball goes

out. -- are Twelvetrees. Billy Twelvetrees.

We waited 40 minutes for a try and did not have one in the first half.

Barely had the second half started and Ireland scored eight each. -- a

peach. It was going to take something different to break it.

Jonny May could have gone for the corner. Stretched out. Easy to say

from up here! Line with the delivery. -- Peter O'Mahony. And

that is so effective, it begs the question, why have they not tried it

earlier? And they get a second penalty. They do that so well but

once it gets moving, unless you can spin it, it will hit the players who

have broken away. The only way to bring it down.

What are the chances of them trying the same thing? Reasonably good.

That is Joe Schmidt, you expect him to do something and he does

something is. Maybe that is why they have not done it yet because we have

all been expecting it. -- something else. Longer. -- that is long.

The right idea, but Ron Dickson fusion. -- the wrong execution. By

side -- by the time they are going into five phases, the teams are so

organised that there is no way through.

Ben Morgan, wearing 28. Billy Vunipola is off the field. Not

comfortable again for England, it has been turned over. Another

penalty to Ireland. Wilson was under pressure and he went down. Jonny

May! In trouble! Cheers, mate! It is a throw for Ireland. It

increases the pressure again. Why would you ever want to do that? You

have got one chance. David Wilson turning in to stop the drive. That

could have been got away. But Ireland are slowly turning the

screw. Devin Toner. And Jamie Heaslip.

It is a line-out and drive. It has caused real damage on the two

occasions they have used it. Penalty advantage is being played. And it

has been a stirring start to the second half I Ireland. What is

Courtney Lawes doing? -- by Ireland. If that had been a third or fourth

offence, that would have in a yellow card. I do not and he is going to

get it. -- that would have been. Courtney Lawes is legal. He got a

breakaway. He is saying he has got the ball but he is never going to

get away with that. Never going backwards is he going to get away

with that. And the first couple of minutes of the second half, an

opportunity for Ireland to get a bit of daylight. Which in a game like

this, it is huge. It will force England to play if Johnny Sexton can

convert this. It is important for England not to panic. They have been

playing with greater chances. The last thing you want to do is to

force things. But the momentum has decisively changed.

That is goodbye Johnny Sexton and Ireland are converting this

second-half pressure into the points that did not come in the first.

England three, Ireland ten. Owen Farrell to Courtney Lawes.

Johnny Sexton bounces off them. Danny Care has to go digging and

Ireland come away with a penalty. Jonathan. I watch Leinster every

week and they do a lot of this. Watch what goes on here, Paul

O'Connell, a bit of interference here. You target Hartley. They run

the blind shoulder, a great move but Paul O'Connell, a bit of

infringement. A great try, well worked.

Johnny Sexton has a word with the captain, Paul O'Connell, as he goes

past. I learned not rushing to this line-out. -- Ireland or not. They do

not need to, they have enough experience in the pack and the back

to know how to play from here. England have got to get back into

the game. A good catch, a good delivery by Peter O'Mahony. Peter

O'Mahony again. That is a wonderful catch. And Jonny

May comes away with it. A great run by the Gloucester wing. That is an

overlap for England. Twelvetrees. Courtney Lawes, Brown outside him.

A change of direction by Owen Farrell.

Paul O'Connell, offside. Quickly taken by Danny Care. Tom Wood. Danny

Care again. To Twelvetrees. That is the Ireland goal line. Luther

Burrell, strong. One metre short. Overlap. Brown is on his own. They

must go right. They have gone left! It has come loose.

It is going to be a penalty. But in terms of what an opportunity they

had, what about that? The scrum-half cannot see everything. Look here.

The closest Irish defender has just moved back out. England had 20

metres. I do not blame Danny Care because he has got to make sure

people do not take the ball. The people behind him have to be

communicating that. The intensity and the noise is so loud, I do not

think he can hear much. But there is a communication problem and it is

not second nature to look wide. A simple penalty kick for Owen

Farrell, England get three points. It should have been more. England

six, Ireland ten. We have had points in the second

half, opportunities. Billy Vunipola, he went off in the

first-half, is back out. It is a good response, though not but it

should have been. Not ten metres straight out of play. That is a

penalty conceded and restart straight out. Little mistakes. That

was well within the control of an experienced fly half like Johnny

Sexton. I don't know why you would play with the margins, there are.

Hitting 23 yards too far, no problem. Why flirt with the ten

metre line? Not wise. An interesting formation with the England back is.

Ben Morgan. It doesn't matter where they stand, because Jack Nowell will

have to do that, cover for the mistake. That is well done by him,

going backwards. Good improvisation. Great pastor Mike Brown! The pass

back to Danny Care! Danny Care for the line! The game has been written

to open! It is turning into a classic! Let's go right back to that

pass from Ben Morgan which was cleared up by Jack Nowell. Ireland

couldn't put him on the floor. Danny Care, he is often the catalyst for

things that England do well. Mike Brown keeps his head. Very easy when

you get into awkward spaces not to do that. Owen Farrell at the points

for the conversion. Stuart Lancaster giving nothing away! There is still

everything to play for at Twickenham. This was the initial

mistake. Ultimately, that is what cost Ireland. Yes, they were not

wise to that. They had an opportunity to regain possession,

but England, having been on the back foot, they have made the break.

Their man of the match so far, Ike Brown, made the difference. I think

we are in for a classic! That was a little bit long in that

time from Johnny Sexton! Rory Best tries to get the holes on

him. They are doing it again, Ireland. Yes, and Ireland put in. --

and Ireland put in. That could have been worse for England, Billy

Twelvetrees cleared up. Good work in the tackle by Ireland, they do that

so well. Mike Brown, again, the most effective carrier. He does have to

run back through a bit of space, and that adds to your, but, even so. --

that adds to it. Johnny Sexton with the variety, but

Danny Care read that well. Well played, Danny Care! What made that

kick even better was that he was going backwards, under pressure. It

was an improvised kick. Johnny Sexton is conscious that there is

space in behind the England defence, but that doesn't appear

that his team-mates on same wavelength. And the kicks have been

a little bit too far, as well. He is really trying to create space by

bringing in both wingers and running the angles, but so far end and are

covering it, pretty well. What England need to do here is spin it,

so Ireland can drive it straight on and it would have to come round. If

you let a side get straight, then you are in trouble.

You excellent defence by England at the break down. That was Rob Carney

trying one to too many, and finding himself isolated. -- Rob journey.

The interesting thing will be to see what they do with their

substitutions. England are looking very strong. I would tend to leave

the team on the field of Lake. England are coming more and more

into the game after a tough start. Well, that is about as good as you

would get. The bench now becomes a fact. Mike Ross comes off and on

comes Martin Moore. He has done his job, hasn't he?

England set up the drive. Ben Morgan has it. They are on the march. Danny

Care comes away with it. They are going to be held up again!

That really isn't good enough. They have to get the ball down. This is

touch and go for Ireland. England have their tails up and they have

all the momentum. Ireland are starting to look a little bit less

sure of themselves. Ironically, the things that have given momentum back

to England's is the kicking game, which went so well against Wales.

Kicks are a little bit too long, were on that occasion, too short. --

or on that occasion. They can't afford to mess around too

much in their own 22. The beauty of the long left boot of

Rob Kearney! For England to come away with nothing there, they should

be disappointed. Joe Marler has fought well. Mako Vunipola comes on,

wearing 17. Did that go forward? The referee is

checking, yes it did. Craig Joubert getting the call from one of his

assistants. Jonathan! If the Irish try was a Leinster try, this was a

harlequins try. The ball goes out to Chris Robshaw. He did so to men. The

support play of the scrum-half, Danny Care, he is the one who makes

the effort. Mike Brown takes two defenders and then it is a straight

run to the line. That is a brilliant England try, a harlequins try. If

you doubted that the physical aspect of this game was less than any

other, you will see that... It is very difficult actually when you are

not watching it live to see just how hard these players hit each other.

Fergus McFadden comes on. It is Andrew Trimble who will come off.

Fergus McFadden goes to the right wing. This is a scrum in the middle

of the field. Eddie, when sides want to stay up and hooked the ball the

scrum works perfectly well! Too far . Too far on both counts.

That is a couple of mistakes from Jack Nowell under the high balls.

Also, he had space to choose where he was going to kick. Craig Joubert

giving Ireland the Harrier. -- the hurry up. The time has just flown by

This is one of the replacements, hurry up. The time has just flown by

This is one of the replacements, battering into each other. They are

wide here. It has gone to ground. The Leinster combination of Brian

O'Driscoll and Johnny Sexton could not hold on to it so what was

building promisingly ends abruptly. It was overcomplicated. Did the

skill of Brian O'Driscoll overcomplicate this? Johnny Sexton

was not expecting that, he was going to take the ball forward. Well, a

very palpable hit on Danny Care. England's scrambled defence coping

again. Earlier on in that move, Ireland had a four on two briefly

that it was not recognised. -- but it was not recognised. 69 minutes

have gone. Joe Schmidt will want a monumental effort from his front

five. Get a penalty, obviously. Cian Healy against Wilson and England are

sent records. Scrummage. -- records. -- backwards. Wilson has had only 47

minutes of rugby this year. He has had more on this field! That was

Cian Healy. Ireland do want to make front row

changes. Sean Cronin and Jack McGrath are coming on. Ireland need

to get England moving back. This is a good scrum from Ireland. There is

a hand in here somewhere. It is an England hand and that is a penalty.

David Wilson does come off. Henry Thomas comms on. A lot of been

written about Henry Thomas and his potential. -- comes on. A cap in

Argentina where they do know about scrummage, so we will see. Wilson

has done well considering he has played a limited amount of rugby.

This is the try for Rob Kearney. This is the try for Danny Care.

13-10, England lead. They will have some defending to do. More changes

for England. Dave Attwood into the second row. And Tom Wood is coming

off. Ireland have also made changes. Iain Henderson is coming on. Joe

Launchbury is going to blindside. I do not know if there is an injury.

This is a crucial scrum for Ireland with ten minutes left.

Thomas has done well. Gordon D'Arcy on the charge. Moving forward. Not

held. This is Iain Henderson, the new,. Rory Best. -- newcomer.

Ireland set up the maul. Paul O'Connell has it.

That is good work I Dave Attwood, that should eat a maul. England have

to be careful. They are careful. You can see what it means to Jonny May.

The work of the forwards. That was great work by Dave Attwood. Jonny

May is screaming with delight. Another set played by Ireland. They

constricted that and did not get the opportunity from the line-out, but

they created the situation themselves. Very clever. Everyone

bound. As soon as the tackle comes, it is a maul. Clever play. Cian

Healy is heading for the sidelines. Jack McGrath comes on. Another big

scrum. It is indeed, Philip. The England women 's game against

Ireland is being played immediately after this. Entry is free so have a

beer, come back to the stadium and support the teams.

Danny Care. Ireland again get the drive-on. They need to get men in

here. Ben Morgan now has a bandage. Mike Brown clears it. That is a

great kick. Whose throw is it? Ireland's. But England have got away

with it. They were not penalised for a hand in the scrum. And to be

fair, they did the job that was necessary to hold the scrum long

enough. Henry Thomas, both new props.

This will come down to one bit of indecision, a lack of discipline, or

one bit of inspiration. Iain Henderson wins the line-out. Ireland

still in their own half. Brian O'Driscoll takes the tackle. Paul

O'Connell, the captain. Still in their own half, Ireland. Tackling

does not get any less brutal. Jonny May is back.

I am not entirely sure Jonny May did not step outside his 22. It will be

a first cap for Jordi Murphy on the left. Sean Cronin, the hooker, but

said the -- the 33rd cap for hooker. What a moment, one for his first cap

for Ireland. There is a lead here for England to protect. Rory Best

comes off. Chris Henry follows his. Colleague.

-- Ulster. Paul O'Connell wins. This is the new player, Jordi Murphy.

Ireland have divorced a penalty and keep this in. -- Ireland have two

force. -- to force. Courtney Lawes has gone out of the maul. Conor

Murray was forward. Craig Joubert was in the way a bit. That is

crucial at this stage in the game. England make a change at hooker. Tom

Youngs. Dylan Hartley comes off. Dylan Hartley has been good again.

His line-out work. I do not know why you bring someone on for five

minutes. Thomas is doing well. Jonny May is

in space! Johnny Sexton comes up to his 22. He cannot get past, slightly

on his own. Gordon D'Arcy. Jamie Heaslip. He takes on Joe

Launchbury and he keeps going. Devin Toner.

They are taking the ball standing still at the moment. Ireland head

back towards their 22. Fergus McFadden to Rob Kearney.

Brian O'Driscoll. That is an important tackle by Vunipola. A prop

on the centre. Has the ball come forward? The referee is playing on.

Excellent tackle, Fergus McFadden. Courtney Lawes. England have to be

careful, any doubt, they should get back to their defence.

Three minutes left. The kicking game has not really worked for Johnny

Sexton. Rob Kearney is back in possession. I do not know why Johnny

Sexton is in the pocket anyway. A long pass to Gordon D'Arcy. Another

long pass to Brian O'Driscoll. Sean Cronin, the hooker. If he had not

slept, he may have been in. -- slipped. It has been turned over.

Conor Murray goes back, and Fergus McFadden.

This is great from both teams. Flying in! Jordi Murphy. Jamie

Heaslip. Brian O'Driscoll today's Kearney. --

to Kearney. He gets away from Joe Launchbury. Colin Murray. The

replacement props together. Ireland are in the England 22. Fergus

McFadden fighting towards... A turnover bell, Luther Burrell claims

it. -- ball. Jonny May, and it rolls into touch and there is one minutes

left. Until macro occasions, Ireland had been the authors of that own

misfortune, turning the ball over in possession. -- their own. Both sides

have shown enormous commitment and skill and this has been fantastic!

There has been nothing between both sides and the statistics will show

that story but it will not show the intensity and the pace. A draw would

have been a good result for Ireland and kept their challenging hopes

alive, they have not gone for it. It is little or nothing, they will have

to get a miracle here. Do not underestimate the tackle by Joe

Lynch are. -- Joe Launchbury. Brian O'Driscoll is coming off. We still

have a line-out to come. It is run by Iain Henderson. -- won. I was

just going to say, do not give a penalty await as the clock does not

go down. They have time to kick to touch. Brian O'Driscoll needs one

more test to become the most capped player of all time. Ireland have

time for one last line-out. They know it is the last. They are taking

even more time than usual. Ryan, who is the man of the match? -- Brian.

Mike Brown is the obvious choice. He has been the catalyst for everything

today for England. He has excelled. Gordon D'Arcy. Owen Farrell. It is a

maul. That is it. Ireland are desperate to get this to ground.

England are trying their best. If it stays up, it is over. They should

wake down now because they do not have to let go of the ball. --

breakdown. That is it. Stuart Lancaster knows, the management

knows, the player no -- the players know. It has been an excellent game

of rugby. The halfway game of the weekend of the Six Nations and three

fantastic matches, this is the pick! A home victory for England. They

have played three and they have one two. Mike round, and outstanding

performance. A great atmosphere at Twickenham -- Mike Brown.

England can look at their emotional strength today, because they didn't

crumble when it looked like Ireland was going to open up daylight. Their

resolve, and their belief, stayed throughout. Much needed for Stuart

Lancaster. What was best about today from the end and point of view is

that the experienced players stood up and didn't panic. Four teams

might have all lost once. The Championship is going to be a

thriller! If you have been sitting at home in

front of you television for the last five hours, you have had two

riveting games of rugby. You felt right until the final whistle that

Ireland could have snuck a score. I think they became men today. We got

to buy them experience, but they came up against a very experienced

side ended very well. It seems that week after week, England's best

player is? Mike Brown, just type a guy win was

that for England? Every game is huge for us. They were unbeaten and we

wanted to set out a marker today. I thought the boys were fantastic. One

to 15, the guys coming off the bench were awesome. The momentum seemed to

be with Ireland's when Rob Kearney scored just after the break. What

was the message at half-time? Just to stick to what we were doing well

and finish of the phases. I thought the crowd were outstanding and

really pushed us through. How much did you enjoy the winning try by

Danny Care. Chris Robshaw, Mike Brown, to Danny Care, a harlequins

try! It was a great off-load and fair play to Danny Care, it was a

great support line. It was an arm wrestle between you and Rob Kearney

for man of the match, but you got the nod, you are the man of the

match. Well done stop thank you, Cheers. Brian O'Driscoll'scareer

will end without ever having scored a try in Twickenham. Where is your

money? We are going to have a fantastic couple of weeks! Keith

Wood, how disappointed only be from an Irish respective? I think you

will be -- you would have to be very disappointed. I thought England were

dynamite after 15 minutes of the second half. The manner in which

they played at the game, they did incredibly well. Ireland lost a

little bit of composure. They were the Strait at that some other game

plan, some of the kicking was loose. Some other handling, too. In terms

of defence, the defence from England was phenomenal. England were giving

penalties away at the start of the second half, and the try that Rob

Kearney scored game as a consequence as a piece of indiscipline. I think

it was an experience. Just keen to get involved. It was a silly

mistake. Joe Schmidt has done his work. The way they set this up.

There are a few obstructions as people are running different lines

and taking the defenders and all sorts of different areas. For my

mind it is a land move and it is so well executed. There is Joe

Launchburyv circle. Watch Paul O'Connell. He will mess around with

him. Johnny Sexton is taking the defenders away. There is so much

going on. Bob O'Connor were blocked Joe Launchburyv. The ball has gone

inside the space that has been left and Rob just step through. Executed

brilliantly. So there was this try, then a penalty, and we were thinking

it was Ireland'sgame. Danny Care score the try that won the match.

What could you make of the way that Mike Brown made a key line? It was

an inexplicable miss from Johnny Sexton. If you really want to get to

the top of world rugby, you can make those mistakes. These are training

room runs and it just came off. You can see there are four or five white

shirts there. You just go left, Right, left, right and you're

waiting for the fullback to head the gap. Conor Murray got hurt in the

previous play and he was still coming up. Mike Brown called from

behind to attack the line. All it needs is just a little gap. Dieppe

and flew off the game has been highlighted by how the try have been

scored. You think one side is on top, then comes a try and it all

flips over. For all the experience of Ireland, when he started to chase

the game they started to make the stakes. They did. For me that is not

having your hands up. That is just bad. Ireland did get a little bit

panicky. I thought Luther Burrell was fantastic today, as was Courtney

Lawes. The pressure about the English defence put on, you have to

give them credit. We spoke before the game about the campaign and the

slogans, and everybody in the studio said you have got to win the game

first. I'm sure Stuart Lancaster is very happy.

There was a wonderful moment near the ends when the ball was kicked

into touch and we finally saw you smile! Is it a sense of relief?

Yes! It was a really good test match, wasn't it? I think we should

great maturity in closing by the game. Great tries, as well. Really

pleased. In terms of the context of what is at stake, is that the most

significant win of your ten year? I think so. Given the experience of

the Ireland team, the form they are in, the quality of the coaching, and

a relative inexperience of our team, I am so proud. A fantastic tackled

by a Joe Launchbury on Dave Kearney, was said about this much

defence is attack today? Yes, I think it was. Once we got the lead

we just held on in. It was fantastic. Well done, to you.

Final thoughts? I think that is the best win of this England team. It

was a massive win. That was a defining moment. I think England to

go online to become something quite special. We have one or two players

still to come in. The competition will be fantastic. I think that sets

up England really well. Where is the balance of power in The

Championship? Still with Ireland's, they have the points difference.

They will be upset. Italy beat Ireland last year, but they just

can't take that for granted. We have the woman 6-nation coming up on the

red button. Thanks for watching, to switch over and continued the debate

on the red button, the only uncertainty in this -- the only

certainty in this year 's championship, there will a Grand

Slam, but I think we can also be sure that there will be a grand

Canal a! -- grand finale!