Ireland deny England Slam glory in Dublin

Ireland battled to a deserved 13-9 victory in Dublin to deny England a second successive Six Nations Grand Slam and bring an end to the record-equalling winning run of Eddie Jones’ men.

England matched New Zealand’s mark of 18 consecutive victories by a tier-one Test nation last weekend as they wrapped up the championship title by trouncing Scotland.

However, just like the All Blacks in Chicago last year, England saw their lengthy streak halted by Ireland, who had much the better of a scrappy opening period before holding off a predictable response from their visitors in the second half.

An injury-hit Ireland led 10-3 at the interval, Iain Henderson’s converted try the least their dominance of possession and territory merited.

England have made a habit of finishing games strongly under Jones, but an improved display after the break was not enough to prevent the Australian overseeing a first defeat since he succeeded Stuart Lancaster in the wake of a dismal 2015 Rugby World Cup campaign.

62% – Before today, 62% of @EnglandRugby‘s points in this 6N have come in the second half, the highest percentage of any side. Finishers.

— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) March 18, 2017

Ireland’s defence held firm throughout, ensuring an England side that scored 61 points last weekend was limited to three penalties from Owen Farrell, with the final whistle sparking jubilant roars from the home supporters packed into the Aviva Stadium.

Already shorn of the influential Conor Murray and Rob Kearney, Ireland suffered another injury blow when Jamie Heaslip rolled his ankle in the warm-up, Peter O’Mahony taking his place as CJ Stander shifted to number eight.

Home skipper Rory Best was then forced off inside 10 minutes for a head injury assessment, but his departure was immediately followed by Jonathan Sexton kicking the first points of the game after England had been penalised amid a predictably frenetic start.

Although the scores were level courtesy of Farrell by the time Best returned, Joe Schmidt’s men soon had a more significant advantage.

A late tackle on Sexton from Maro Itoje gave Ireland the platform to attack and, after they had opted to kick to the corner from another penalty deep in England territory, the recalled Henderson powered over off the back of a maul.

3 – @HendersonIain has scored a try in each of his last three starts for @IrishRugby. Rewarded.

— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) March 18, 2017

England were looking nervous as Keith Earls subsequently streaked down the right flank, only for Kieran Marmion to give up the ball in a promising position.

The visitors briefly threatened when a delightful chip from Farrell was collected by Elliot Daly, but Ireland were good value for their half-time lead.

Farrell reduced his side’s arrears with a 51st-minute penalty from distance and England were beginning to gather a hint of momentum as skipper Dylan Hartley exited five minutes later.

Yet Ireland were still ahead as the hour mark passed, amid the usual raft of substitutions, and Sexton – the victim of several heavy hits throughout the contest – duly responded with a similarly impressive kick to make it 13-6.

A productive rolling maul from England resulted in Farrell, briefly moved to fly-half during a cameo from Ben Te’o that was cut short by injury, again trimming Ireland’s lead to four points with 13 minutes remaining.

England applied pressure thereafter, but another late rescue act proved beyond them as they suffered a first Six Nations loss since their last visit to Dublin in 2015.