Ireland have had to come from behind against England to get their bid for a third successive Six Nations title off to a winning 27-22 bonus point start.
The hosts emerged triumphant at Aviva Stadium on Saturday thanks to a ferocious second half after the visitors had made life very uncomfortable.
England got their gameplan spot on in the first half to lead 10-5 at the break, taking a deserved early lead through a debut Cadan Murley try before frustrating a stop-start Ireland at the breakdown with only Jamison Gibson-Park able to break through.
But the game swung decisively Ireland’s way early in the second half with a powerful Bundee Aki try and Sam Prendergast penalty putting them ahead for the first time after 55 minutes, before a Tadhg Beirne try delivered a knockout blow 10 minutes later.
The relentless hosts pushed for the fourth bonus point-clinching try to cap off interim coach Simon Easterby’s first game in charge and got it through replacement Dan Sheehan.
But England were determined to take something home with them, as Tom Curry halted the second-half onslaught with a score and Tommy Freeman grabbed another try at the death to earn them a losing bonus point.
#Ireland #win #Nations #blockbuster #England
