The festival in Cheltenham doesn’t start until Tuesday, but a big Irish favorite has unexpectedly already been brought in. With the Six Nations trophy still almost certain to end with green ribbons attached to it, Andy Farrell’s Thoroughbreds have been dramatically denied the chance to become the first team to win back-to-back grand slams this century.
Because this was the day England finally gave its supporters a glimpse of something truly uplifting. From start to finish this was as positive a performance as they have produced in a while and trailing 22-20 going into the final seconds they had one final surge in them. With the advantage being played and Ireland hanging on for dear life, the ball came back to Marcus Smith, whose drop goal eventually gave England their first win in this match in five attempts.
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It made for an exciting match, with a storming early try from Ollie Lawrence setting the upbeat tone. When George Furbank finished off another flowing attack seven minutes into the second half to reduce the margin to four points it made for a fascinating final half hour and with Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony in the sin bin, England found themselves once again. Repelling kicks on goal in search of a close-range effort, they eventually converted Ben Earl, only for ponytailed Irish winger James Lowe to score his second try of the night eight minutes from time.
Would it be enough to keep Ireland’s grand slam vision alive? They remain a fine team, but on this occasion they encountered opponents who completely refused to back down. Smith will be the first to praise the hard work of those before him, with Earl, George Martin and Ollie Chessum all outstanding, but the Harlequins fly-half also had the guts to complete the deal.
After Scotland’s defeat to Italy in Rome, England seemed to have an alternative script in mind from the start. As early as the fourth minute, Furbank sprinted out from behind and there was enough momentum in the move to send Ireland defender Calvin Nash crashing into contact with Tommy Freeman as he raced forward to cut off the danger. Some space remained on the left and slick hands gave Henry Slade the time and space to convert Lawrence.
For those raised largely on a diet of English stodge this winter, it was like spotting the first hopeful crocus of a brighter spring. And to their credit, England kept coming. Ireland, initially calm and confident, were pushed back and driven into possession by opponents clearly determined to give them a proper beating.
With George Ford adding another penalty and Nash not assessing his head injury, England’s defense was also several steps above anything seen in the tournament so far. Chessum, eager to join in the fun, gave Bundee Aki a huge punch to connect him, hurting his own shoulder but pumping up the crowd even more.
Suddenly it was Ireland defending themselves for their lives and for a moment it looked like Lawrence would make a second attempt. However, the Bath center’s lead went through the fingers of Furbank before bouncing back into the former’s arms and the home side were rightly denied a potentially crucial score.
On the plus side, England’s intention to play had already changed the atmosphere in the stadium bowl, not to mention thousands of living rooms. Here at last was the promised transformation from slow ball specialists to something more uplifting and had Ford not missed a very kickable penalty after half an hour he would have been given an even greater reward.
Ireland, however, is an enduring bunch. There was a perfect example of their skills all over the pitch as Chessum burst into midfield and was met once again by his nemesis Aki. The cracking center reacted quickest after the collision, winning a Jackal turnover that allowed Jack Crowley to kick a low penalty from 45 yards and put the visitors ahead for the first time in a thunderous match.
For a while it felt like a pivotal moment. The Irish, after weathering a prolonged storm, finally had the chance to get back to what they do so well and a trademark left-footed howitzer from Lowe left Furbank in a dilemma close to the touchline. Should he try to catch it or leave it behind? He opted for the former, but his right foot grazed the whitewash and Ireland had the attacking lineout. Shortly afterwards, another three points for offside followed and for the fourth game in a row in this tournament, England fell behind at the break.
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Could that be the ball game? That’s certainly what it looked like when Lowe dived into the left corner just four minutes after the restart to give his team an eleven-point lead. However, England were determined not to stop playing. Furbank’s try reinvigorated everyone involved and on the hour mark Earl’s score put them back in front.
With Danny Care also on course to win his 100th Test cap, the fairy tale can be completed as Ireland are now back to 15 players. At first it didn’t seem so. Good hands again gave Lowe space to finish spectacularly past Smith into the left corner, but Crowley’s conversion attempt failed.
It left the door ajar for Elliot Daly, but his long-range penalty drifted wide on the wind. By now there were bodies on the field from both sides, but there was still just enough time for England to make a last stand. The impending punishment would have been a virtual formality, but Smith’s nightmarish final straw will haunt Irish dreams for years to come.