Paddies break Pom victory run
27 Feb 2010
Ireland inflicted England’s first loss of the Six Nations with a 20-16 win at Twickenham.
England were under huge pressure from their public and media to play an expansive and open game, although it clearly doesn’t suit them. The opening exchanges saw them carry through a number of phases, but once they had tired, Ireland pounced.
Brilliant counter-rucking saw them claim turnover ball, which was quickly spread wide to flyhalf Jonny Sexton, who grubbered through to put Tommy Bowe over after three minutes.
Jonny Wilkinson, who also struggled in general play, missed an early penalty, but later narrowed the deficit with a three-pointer.
As the driving rain came down after 18 minutes, England were forced to change their game-plan, while the visitors continued to play for territory.
Ireland kicked much more and kicked better than England, although they had far less possession. However, England couldn’t take advantage of the amount of ball they had due to Ireland’s proficiency at stealing and slowing down ball, with referee Mark Lawrence much more lenient at the breakdown than he has been in the Super 14.
Sexton and Wilkinson traded penalties before the break as Ireland led 8-6.
In the second half, both kickers missed early attempts at goal, but the visitors continued to take their opportunities when they arose. After a brief spell in England’s 22, Sexton’s change of direction behind a ruck put wing Keith Earls over in the corner.
The English pack dominated at scrum-time, and used this advantage to get back into the contest. Playing a tighter, driving game that suited their strengths, tighthead Dan Cole was awarded a try by the TMO as the hosts drew level heading into the final quarter.
Wilkinson missed another penalty, but after some good work in the build-up from his halfback partner Danny Care, the English pivot slotted a drop-goal to put his side ahead for the first time in the Test.
English joy was short-lived, however. Bowe claimed his second straight off the top of a lineout, with the feed from scrumhalf Tomas O’Leary an exact replica of how the Springboks scored against the Lions in the second Test when Fourie du Preez fed JP Pietersen.
Ireland had little ball, but scored three tries, while England managed just one with their surfeit of possession and that tells the story of the match and the abilities of both sides.
Ireland now face Wales after a week’s break, while England travel to Murrayfield to face Scotland.
By Grant Ball
37 Comments
27 Feb 2010, 18:20 pm
Where is Big Hit with the damn feed.
27 Feb 2010, 18:26 pm
Come on the Irish!
27 Feb 2010, 18:41 pm
@kwas: Kwas in US BBC are showing it live on BBC America. Bloody great.
27 Feb 2010, 18:48 pm
Ireland had the better of the first half – England only just managed to hang in there
27 Feb 2010, 19:15 pm
Nice try Ireland, although dubious reversal of penalty.
27 Feb 2010, 19:16 pm
Ireland scored after a ridiculous penalty-reversal by Mark Lawrence and his Frenchie touch judge.
27 Feb 2010, 19:17 pm
@SodaJoe:
I think Lawrence misunderstood the linesman – terrible accent.
27 Feb 2010, 19:22 pm
Try England – justice
27 Feb 2010, 19:28 pm
O’Connell took his own captain out with a knee and becomes the new captain.
27 Feb 2010, 19:37 pm
Come on ??? Who cares! Viva La France et Italia!
27 Feb 2010, 19:38 pm
Johny drops – England by 3
27 Feb 2010, 19:41 pm
Tommy Bowe under the posts – Ireland leads.
27 Feb 2010, 19:50 pm
Finitos – Green won
27 Feb 2010, 19:57 pm
Tries win matches?
27 Feb 2010, 19:59 pm
Up the Irish – Gs all round.
Engl ch ch ch ch CHOKE at home !!!!!!!!!!!!
27 Feb 2010, 20:13 pm
@Black Panther: nah we didn’t choke, they were the better team, it happens.
27 Feb 2010, 20:21 pm
@Robzim: Oooo some England support. Thanks….
27 Feb 2010, 20:54 pm
@carol:
Pity it was not enough.
Tough luck.
27 Feb 2010, 20:57 pm
@Big Hit:
ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch
CHOO CHOO !
ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch
CHOO CHOO
ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch
CHOKERS !
27 Feb 2010, 21:25 pm
@Black Panther: lol grow up, middle aged teen
27 Feb 2010, 21:25 pm
@Robzim:
That Frog referee won us the B&IL series, be respectful!
Without him,,,,
27 Feb 2010, 21:36 pm
bulls and now my forefathers….and Chelsea got klapped….
weekend got a bit better
27 Feb 2010, 21:39 pm
Great stuff, do not blame Lawrence
With the exception of Kaplan, any Test team that starts at Twickenham against England is at 14 points down at the kickoff!
So Martin Johnson’s vanity quest for exotic foreign backs isn’t paying off seemingly?
27 Feb 2010, 21:44 pm
@grant10:
The Stormers are on the improving path Grant, they need to rid of January, restore Grant at 12 and bring on that youngster at 10
If they keep selecting like they did yesterday the away matches will be a foregone conclusion, but as for now the Stormers play good rugby!
27 Feb 2010, 22:03 pm
Can you please stop referring to us as “The Paddies”…?….
27 Feb 2010, 22:08 pm
@Hondo: 24
Well…i think we must start with L Cronje Saturday against Landers….Robzim, skop, thats my take after much thought….Bench Brant….give Cronje a go….we need to blood him now.
Still not convinced re wikkelspies !!
27 Feb 2010, 22:33 pm
@Big Hit: The problem is that there seem to be a lot of better teams that we play!! Whats that now we have had 1 win in our last 7 games against the Irish, oh well it could be worse we didnt lose to italy
27 Feb 2010, 22:49 pm
@Just Another Paddy:
strangely enough my Paddy mate gets real upset at that and I cant understand why – where is the possible negative-connotation ? St Patrick = Paddy, no ?
Great victory for your boys. great. Love it when the Poms lose at home, damn chokers !
and dont the Paddys…..oops, Irish……love it when Johnnos team loses after he turned his back on the President that time in Dublin, it still fills my Paddy mate with rage to this very day.
Up the Irish !
27 Feb 2010, 22:51 pm
@Just Another Paddy: Is that like nigg3r – you can only use it if you are one? Lol. I hope you’re kidding. It’s hardly offensive. Nigg3r is though, so please let’s not get into a war of words over it people.
28 Feb 2010, 03:25 am
Paddy was used as a derogatory term by British people. Some Irish people take offense to it because they’ve low self esteem or something. I couldn’t care less personally.
The match went as expected. I thought if it was a close game Ireland would win but I didn’t think England would dominate possession that much. They’ll give France a decent game.
28 Feb 2010, 03:56 am
I can’t say it bothers me too much……My comment was more in jest than anything….
We were pretty limited today but won without hitting much form……..Always a good sign…..
If England are to improve the must realise their strengths and keep things tight…..Their attempts at breaking down our defence were pretty embarrasing…….
28 Feb 2010, 11:14 am
Nothing better than the Poms getting a pasting!
28 Feb 2010, 12:29 pm
@Just Another Paddy:
You may note that not too many people here are disappointed by this particular result. In fact, who but the Poms ever wants the Poms to win ? Perhaps BH can shed some light on this subject for us.
28 Feb 2010, 16:27 pm
@Just Another Paddy@phalanx: My father’s name was Patrick, but everybody called him Paddy. He certainly didn’t mind
28 Feb 2010, 20:47 pm
Well done to the Irish for beating the poms.
28 Feb 2010, 23:00 pm
Oh and here’s to the boks for delivering our winning try……Carbon copy of Pietersons before…..
Who said we didn’t respect ye……..?……
Noone else really has the lineout to pull such a move off really…..
28 Feb 2010, 23:23 pm
@kaksioek:
As was my grandfather. Actually ‘Micks’ is another name for Irish people.:D
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