England men defeat Ireland in Guinness Six Nations
England sealed an impressive 24-12 win over Ireland at Twickenham Stadium in their third match of the Guinness Six Nations.
It followed their victory over Scotland in round two, with the defeat to France their only blip.
England led 17-0 at the break through tries from George Ford and Elliot Daly, while Owen Farrell kicked seven points.
Robbie Henshaw and Andrew Porter responded for Ireland but Luke Cowan-Dickie's try kept England out of reach.
Ireland errors
Eddie Jones’ side had a first try inside 10 minutes Ford latching onto a kick through from Youngs which caused havoc in the Ireland defence and after Sexton fumbled over the try line, England’s fly half was quickest to react and dot down.
It was just reward for England who started the game at high intensity with fierce carries from Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes, while they also exploited Ireland defensive shape in the back field.
Sexton missed a penalty from virtually in front of the posts before England scored a second try, Ireland again hesitant in their in-goal area and after Jacob Stockdale misjudged the bounce, Daly managed to get the ball down.
Farrell added to his earlier conversion and also slotted a penalty just before the break for a 17-0 first half lead in what had been a fine opening half for England.
It was a half full of aggression and dynamism, with England’s forwards carrying hard into their opponents while Ford, Youngs and Farrell helped control the game and capitalise on Ireland errors.
Impact finishers
Ireland were a different side after the break, Henshaw barging through for their first points but their fight back was short lived.
England introduced finishers Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge and Charlie Ewels and they made an instant impact.
First Genge helped win a penalty at a scrum and from a resulting lineout, Cowan-Dickie barrelled his way over with the ballast of his fellow forwards helping him cross.
Ireland pressed to reduce the deficit and Porter crossed in stoppage time to rescue some pride for his side but it was mere consolation.
England next face Wales at Twickenham Stadium before facing Italy in Rome in the final round of the tournament.
"Flying out of the blocks"
England forward Courtney Lawes: "We knew Ireland were in good form and we came out flying, we put an emphasis on that all week. It was great to get out here with the boys.
"Any chance I get to put on the shirt, especially at my old age, I relish it. We just want to keep building, the goal is to be the best team the world has ever seen."
TEAMS
England: 15 Elliot Daly (Saracens), 14 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), 13 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), 12 Owen Farrell (Saracens) (c), 11 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), 10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers), 9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), 1 Joe Marler (Harlequins), 2 Jamie George (Saracens), 3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), 4 Maro Itoje (Saracens), 5 George Kruis (Saracens), 6 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), 7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), 8 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), 17 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers), 18 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), 19 Joe Launchbury (Wasps), 20 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), 21 Ben Earl (Saracens), 22 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby), 23 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Ireland: 15. Jordan Larmour (Leinster), 14. Andrew Conway (Munster), 13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), 12. Bundee Aki (Connacht), 11. Jacob Stockdale (Ulster), 10. Jonathan Sexton (Leinster), (c), 9. Conor Murray (Munster), 1. Cian Healy (Leinster), 2. Rob Herring (Ulster), 3. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), 4. Devin Toner (Leinster), 5. James Ryan (Leinster), 6. Peter O’Mahony (Munster), 7. Josh van der Flier (Leinster), 8. CJ Stander (Munster)
Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher (Leinster), 17. Dave Kilcoyne (Munster), 18. Andrew Porter (Leinster), 19. Ultan Dillane (Connacht), 20. Caelan Doris (Leinster), 21. John Cooney (Ulster), 22. Ross Byrne (Leinster), 23. Keith Earls (Munster)
