Post
by macliam » Sun Mar 13 2022 11:23pm
Twelfth 6-nations game – Ireland v England at Twickenham
A couple of things before I post this report. Firstly there was a degree of shock in the Ireland camp that Johnny Sexton has announced his intention to retire after the World Cup. It had to happen sometime, but hey….
The second thing is a bit more esoteric, is that Pete St.John died yesterday at the age of 90. He was a folk singer and the write of “The Fields of Athenry”, the Irish rugby anthem. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Ireland kick off and create space down the left and cross the England 22-metre line with a powerful run before being brought down by England's cover defence. However, during the tackles James Ryan of Ireland goes down and needs medical attention. The referee decides that the collision was an illegal late tackle by England player Charlie Ewels and after discussion, Ewels is given a red card – after 87 seconds and England will be down to 14 men for the whole game! Ryan goes off for an HIA causing the first Ireland substitution. Sexton slots in the resultant penalty to put Ireland ahead after 3 minutes
Ireland 3 - 0 England after 3 minutes
On the restart, Ireland respond and kick into the England half, but England pick up the ball and cross back to the Ireland half, gaining a penalty, which is tapped and England storm to the Ireland 22-metre line. However, Ireland regain the ball and chase towards the England line and pass to Lowe who races through from 40 metres to cross the England line near the corner for a try. However Sexton fails to convert from out wide.
Ireland 8 - 0 England after 6 minutes
On the restart, Ireland knock the ball forward, leading to and England scrum on Ireland’s 10-metre line. However, Ireland destroy the England scrum to gain a penalty, which is kick into touch well within the England half. Ireland win their lineout and decide to run the ball and reach the England 22-metre line and after some desperate defence, Ireland cross the try line after 12 minutes. But the try is disallowed due to an earlier knock-forward.
There is a England scrum on their 5-metre line and this time they get a penalty, with the scrum spinning. The resultant lineout is a mess and England are given a further penalty and a lineout inside the Ireland 10-metre line, Ireland get the ball but knock it forward, leading to an England scrum which again spins and ends ina penalty for England. Marcus Smith slots the ball home for England’s first 3 points
Ireland 8 - 3 England after 18 minutes
On the restart, England receive the ball and kick it to touch just over the halfway line. Ireland win a 5-man lineout and chase back into the England half, before the ball is dislodged in a heavy tackle and knocked forward. The resultant scrum is another failure for Ireland and there is a free-kick which is kicked into touch by Ireland. England then win their lineout and set up a driving maul. There is play back and forward over the halfway line before England attack down the sideline and reach the Ireland 22-metre line, but Ireland go offside, before stopping the England attack. The offside penalty is kicked into the corner, but England lose the ball in the ruck and it is kicked downfield. England kick it back and Ireland catch it and again drive towards the England line, but get pushed into touch for an England throw-in. The ball is then kicked into touch just outside the England 22-metre line and Ireland win the throw-in but Itoje disrupts the maul leading to an England scrum. The scrum again spins, giving England a penalty, kicked to touch in the Ireland half. Ireland then disrupt the lineout, but are penalised. Smith kicks for the posts, but goes wide. Sexton then kicks across field and Ireland retain possession (illegally) and chase for the England half, but are called back for another penalty which Slade sets up for a kick, but the referee decides the ball should be 5-metres in front, so Smith goes for the posts again, this time successfully.
Ireland 8 – 6 England after 33 minutes
Ireland take the restart which England kick into touch. Ireland win the lineout and attack again, before a high-tackle gives them a penalty on the halfway line. England then give away a free-kick for closing the gap at the lineout and Ireland attack the England line, gaining a penalty just in front of the posts. Ireland take it quickly and Keenan goes over the line on 36 minutes. Sexton converts the try this time.
Ireland 15 – 6 England after 38 minutes
England claim their restart kick and attack into the Ireland 22, there is a ruck and Ireland give away another penalty in the ruck. Marcus Smith gets another 3 points
Ireland 15 – 9 England after 40+1 minutes
HALF-TIME: Ireland 15 – 9 England
Ireland fumble England’s second-half restart kick and England attack early, but Ireland clear the ball inside their own 22-metre line and kick for touch almost at the halfway line. England win the lineout and kick for territory, but the ball is caught by Keenan for Ireland on their own 22 and quickly passed to Lowe, who races into the England half, finally almost reaching the England 22-metre line before being stopped, but the ball is knocked forward. Ireland then win a penalty which Gibson-Park takes quickly, bursting through before being stopped inside the England 22. Ireland go through several phases to drive for the England line, but lose finally possession for an England 5-metre scrum.
The scrum again gives England a penalty for early engagement…. Ireland seem unable to stop the England scrum’s dominance. The resultant throw-in almost at halfway is won by England who set up a maul, but then kick forward allowing Ireland to return for touch well into the England half. England then close the line at the resultant lineout for a free kick, but Ireland lose the ball forward on the England line. Another scrum collapses after a reset, resulting in another England penalty. That's the fifth scrum penalty of the match, and the fourth in England's favour.
England kick for touch and claim the lineout and break towards the Ireland line, having been repulsed Smith launches another high kick, again claimed by Keenan for Ireland, but he is swamped by England who win a penalty for holding-on right on the Ireland line. Smith goes for the posts and scores another 3 points.
Ireland 15 – 12 England after 50 minutes
On the restart Ireland win a penalty at the breakdown on their own 10-metre line and Sexton sends it into touch just outside the England 22, but then Ireland cross at the lineout, giving England a penalty. England win the lineout and again boot the ball downfield towards Keenan, who claims it, but is penalized in the tackle for another scrum, which again fails – giving another penalty to Smith, who fires the ball home for another 3 points.
Ireland 15 – 15 England after 61 minutes - England draw level purely on penalties
Ireland restart England claim the ball and it’s kicked high towards the Ireland half, where it’s claimed by Keenan, who is forced into touch. England win the lineout and set up a maul before again launching the ball downfield, but it’s intercepted by Ireland who kick the ball low – and it is kicked across field and high…. But caught by Conway for Ireland, who boots the ball into touch within the England 22, for an lineout inside the England 10-metre line. Ireland steal England’s lineout and attack the England line, but are repulsed over and over, until a long throw is intercepted and it looks as if England are away clear…. BUT play is stopped because Irish advantage was being played because Itoje had impeded the ball in an earlier ruck.. Sexton decides to go for points and kicks Ireland back in front .
Ireland 18 – 15 England after 65 minutes
On the restart the ball is returned and caught by Marcus Smith, but he is bundled into touch. However, he had bounced the ball off an Irish player, so England get the lineout and kick it forward almost to the Ireland 22-metre line. Ireland fire it back under pressure, but it goes straight our to touch, so play returns for another England lineout almost on the Ireland 22. Ireland intercept the throw and kick high and downfield, where England gather it and high kick back downfield, where it is caught and the mark called by Conor Murray. Another bout of aerial rugby ensues, until the ball is caught on the charge by Keenan and Ireland break through for another attack on an almost undefended England line, but the ball is knocked forward in a pass on the charge. England kick downfield, but Ireland again attack kicking the ball beyond the England try line, where it’s touched down for a dropout just inside 70 minutes. Smith kicks downfield but Henshaw gathers for Ireland and Ireland charge into the England 22, then on to the 5-metre line and over for a try. Sexton converts for an extra 2 points
Ireland 25 – 15 England after 74 minutes
Ireland return the England restart and gather the high ball attacking the line, but missing a catch which sees them back on the halfway line. But then England give away a penalty which Sexton kicks into the corner for a lineout just off the England try-line. Ireland keep Itoje off the maul and run the ball almost breaking the England defence, but the next pass sees them over the line for a 4th and bonus try. Sexton converts yet again.
Ireland 32 – 15 England after 78 minutes
Ireland catch the restart ball and kick it forward, but it is intercepted by England who attack for a last-ditch attempt to narrow the margin. Ireland give away a penalty for handling in the ruck and England kick into the corner. Johnny Sexton is replaced by Carbery, bringing an end to his last visit to Twickenham as an Irish international. England win the throw-in and drive for the line, but are held up for an Ireland scrum inside their 5-metre line…. Which they win, allowing Murray to kick the ball into touch and end the game.
FINAL SCORE: Ireland 32 – 15 England
England fought their way back to level the score with 14 men, purely due to Ireland giving away penalties. However, having threatened to give the game away, ireland then pulled ahead - and although the scorelines might not reflect the difference, 4 tries to 0 for England showed that the game was controlled - if only the penalty count could be kept under control.
Ireland go into the last round 2 points shy of France (due to bonus points) and still in with a shot at the the triple-crown - and the championship, if England don't lose to France next week. However, their penalty count is an issue going into the World cup..... England have now lost twice and need to stop France if they are to save their blushes.
Just because I'm paranoid, it doesn't mean they're not out to get me