England’s Six Nations hopes took an almighty blow on Saturday following a tragic first-half with a collapse that even the most pessimistic of onlookers could not have seen coming.
But who was all at sea off the ball? Who wilted in the line-out? And which visiting star put on a masterful display?
England have now lost two of their three matches this Six Nations, with the Ireland misery adding to the shock defeat by Scotland last time out. And, just like in that game, it was the first-half that cost them.
Despite fielding a much-changed team, Borthwick’s men faced the same fate and must now go back to the drawing board ahead of their clash with Italy next time out.
Five tries did the job for Ireland – with Jamison Gibson-Park, Robert Baloucoune, Sean O’Brien, Dan Sheehan and Jamie Osborne all going over. Fraser Dingwall (40′), Ollie Lawrence and Sam Underhill scored for England.
Daily Mail Sport’s ALEX BYWATER was at Twickenham to run the rule over the players.
England were thumped by Ireland in the Six Nations after a disappointing first-half showing
Steve Borthwick’s side have now lost two of their three matches in this year’s Six Nations
England
Freddie Steward – 2
Not aerially dominant again and rightfully yellow carded for desperate breakdown infringement. Replaced by Marcus Smith before half-time.
Tommy Freeman – 3
England were so bad that he had no attacking ball to work with.
Ollie Lawrence – 4
Poor missed tackle on rampaging Stuart McCloskey and all at sea without the ball. Second-half try too little, too late.
Fraser Dingwall – 4
England were cut to ribbons defensively and his try on the break couldn’t make up for that.
Henry Arundell – 4
A hat-trick against Wales and sent off against Scotland. Nothing as dramatic here but also nothing to write home about.
George Ford – 3
Missed touch twice, the second of which was a shocker. Ironic cheers when he finally managed it.
Freddie Steward was poor and replaced by Marcus Smith before half-time on a day to forget
Alex Mitchell – 3
No impact in awful start before being forced off. Jack van Poortvliet couldn’t get going either.
Ellis Genge – 5
Looked understandably frustrated at what was going wrong all around him. Scrummed well in his time on the field.
Luke Cowan-Dickie – 2
He was immediately under pressure at the line-out in a nightmare start and suffered the humiliation of being replaced before the half-hour by Jamie George.
Joe Heyes – 7
Showed athleticism to cover and collect Irish kick and again went well at scrum time. A rare English positive.
Maro Itoje (capt) – 3
Led team out on his 100th cap with his father watching on but it was all downhill from there. Milestone game turned into a nightmare and he was again substituted early.
Ollie Chessum – 4
Poor pass put Mitchell under pressure and it didn’t get any better after that.
Tom Curry – 4
Felt the full force of Tadhg Furlong and didn’t make most of opportunity to start. Guy Pepper took his place.
Ben Earl – 6
Never gave up and always offered himself in the carry. One of England’s better players on a dark day but needless to celebrate penalty win when his team were getting schooled.
Henry Pollock – 4
First Test start won’t be one he’ll remember. Yellow carded at start of second half.
Replacements
Jack van Poortvliet 4 (for Mitchell 24), Jamie George 5 (for Cowan-Dickie 29), Marcus Smith 5 (for Steward 40), Bevan Rodd 5 (for Genge 52), Guy Pepper 5 (for Curry 52), Alex Coles 5 (for Itoje 55), Sam Underhill 6 (for Earl 72), Trevor Davison 5 (for Heyes 73)
Maro Itoje’s milestone turned into a nightmare after leading his side out on his 100th cap
Ireland
Jamie Osborne – 7.5
Brilliant aerial regain at start of second half. Impressive and scored a try but lost a mark for yellow card.
Robert Baloucoune – 7
Given easy finish for try by hard work of those inside him but strong afternoon overall.
Garry Ringrose – 7
Solid and dependable, everything the English midfield wasn’t.
Stuart McCloskey – 8.5
Brilliant run set up Baloucoune’s try. Showed huge power in the carry and hounded down Marcus Smith late on.
James Lowe – 4
Spilled ball in good early position, admittedly when under pressure and then limped off to be replaced by Tommy O’Brien who was excellent.
Jack Crowley – 7
Back in the team for Sam Prendergast. One poor shot at goal but should keep his place. Guided his team to big win.
Jamison Gibson-Park – 9
Brilliantly taken quick tap penalty for try. Masterful display showed his true class. Star man.
Jamison Gibson-Park was the star man for Ireland, with a brilliantly taken quick tap penalty for his side
Jeremy Loughman – 5.5
Doesn’t have the profile of Andrew Porter but a decent display despite scrum worries before giving way.
Dan Sheehan – 7.5
Showed dexterity to send Josh van der Flier into space. He’s looked tired this season but was back to his best with try.
Tadhg Furlong – 5
Struggled badly at scrum time last week and England won early set-piece penalty but it didn’t derail his team.
Joe McCarthy – 8
Galloped away impressively only to be pulled back by referee’s whistle. Really good in both the tight and loose.
James Ryan – 7.5
Alongside McCarthy, he comfortably outplayed England’s locks.
Tadhg Beirne – 7
England’s paucity meant he wasn’t needed to produce his trademark defensive turnovers and he was always going forward.
Josh Van der Flier – 6.5
Made most of England’s awful defence to break into space and emptied the tank.
Caelan Doris (capt) – 8
What a shame it was he missed the Lions tour due to injury. A proper player.
Replacements
Tommy O’Brien 8 (for Lowe 19), Tom O’Toole 5.5 (for Loughman 47), Finlay Bealham 6 (for Furlong 47), Nick Timoney 6 (for Van der Flier 50), Ronan Kelleher 6 (for Sheehan 56), Ciaran Frawley 7 (for Ringrose 56), Cian Prendergast 6 (for McCarthy 63), Craig Casey 5 (for Gibson-Park 72)
