Politics
Ireland 32 England 18: Red Rose crushed in Dublin as flawless Sexton boots 22 points but Bundee Aki sent off
ENGLAND’S Six Nations ended in tatters with a thumping defeat in Dublin as Ireland coach Andy Farrell trumped son Owen.
Eddie Jones’ side briefly threatened a late comeback after Bundee Aki’s second-half red card for KOing Billy Vunipola with shoulder contact to the head.
Veteran winger Keith Earl raced away to score Ireland’s first try[/caption]
Ireland No8 Jack Conan stretches out to score[/caption]
Ireland skipper Johnny Sexton was prolific off the kicking tee[/caption]
But in truth, the men in white were well beaten at the Aviva Stadium as Johnny Sexton’s record-breaking kicking saw him sink 22 points.
Ireland rushed into a 14-point advantage at half-time and the Red Rose never recovered from the early blitz.
After a tense opening exchange where Farrell junior and Sexton traded penalties it was the home side who struck first.
Ireland’s long line-out ball fell perfectly for the onrushing Keith Earls who rounded Jonny May to finish expertly.
Jack Conan’s pick and go caught Eddie Jones’ men napping and the big No8 stretched out to find the line to add a second try.
England tried to force the issue after the break but were only granted a leg up when Aki crunched Vunipola, leaving the Saracens No8 motionless.
Jamie George fed Ben Youngs after good work in the maul but Elliot Daly could not add the conversion.
The scrum-half should have had another late on but spilled the ball, although May did go on to grab a late consolation.
FULL REPORT TO FOLLOW.
Billy Vunipola is lead away for an HIA after Bundee Aki’s red-card tackle[/caption]
Ben Youngs crosses for England in Dublin[/caption]
Most read in Rugby Union
