"So much for all those expectations of a tight two-horse race. For the second week running England were barely in the frame, comprehensively second best to opponents who started well and kept on galloping to a five-try rout. This was a record Irish win at Twickenham and it is Andy Farrell's side who remain in the hunt for this season's Six Nations title while England stare down the barrel of a bottom-half finish."
"The seeds of England's downfall were sown in a calamitous first half which saw the visitors pull away to a 22-0 lead inside 30 minutes. As in Edinburgh they were guilty of way too many errors, with their lineout all over the shop. They also conceded 15 turnovers in the opening 40 minutes alone in addition to another yellow card, this time for Freddie Steward. It was so bad that Steve Borthwick replaced Luke Cowan-Dickie and Steward for tactical reasons."
"Ireland were also smart enough to cut and paste elements of Scotland's gameplan which had found plenty of joy at England's expense out in the wider channels. That said they also cut a flat-footed England repeatedly through the middle as well, to the point where the home crowd began to fall silent in shock at the defensive holes they were witnessing. To Ireland's credit they did not need a second invitation to tuck in."
Ireland dominated England at Twickenham with a five-try rout that left England comprehensively second best. The visitors raced to a 22-0 lead inside 30 minutes after England produced a calamitous first half. England conceded 15 turnovers in the opening 40 minutes, suffered a yellow card for Freddie Steward and displayed a dysfunctional lineout. Steve Borthwick replaced Luke Cowan-Dickie and Steward for tactical reasons at halftime. Ireland combined Scotland-inspired wide-channel tactics with incisive play through the middle. Jack Crowley provided authority at 10. The visiting back three of Robert Baloucoune, Jamie Osborne and Tommy O'Brien all scored. Ireland remain in Six Nations title contention; England face a bottom-half finish.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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