England v Ireland LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations as Marcus Smith denies Irish grand slam with last-gasp drop goal
England 23-22 Ireland: Smith slotted a drop goal with the final kick to snatch a shock victory for the hosts and stop back-to-back Irish grand slams
Marcus Smith slotted a last-minute drop goal as England ended Ireland’s double grand slam dream with an exhilarating 23-22 win in a display of their best attacking rugby for years to take the Six Nations championship to the final round.
After Scotland’s shock loss to Italy, Ireland knew victory would give them the title with a round to spare and set them up for back-to-back grand slams and they looked on course with a 12-8 half-time lead via four Jack Crowley penalties despite England scoring the only try through Ollie Lawrence.
Ireland surged 17-8 ahead thanks to James Lowe’s try early in the second half but England roared back with scores from George Furbank and Ben Earl to edge three points clear heading into the final quarter.
A second Lowe try put Ireland back in front, only for replacement fly half Smith to send Twickenham wild at the death as he dropped back and slotted the decisive drop goal for the best performance and result of the Steve Borthwick era.
Relive all the action from England v Ireland below:
England 20-22 Ireland, 77 mins
Ireland boots clear and England run the ball back from their own half. A few phases up the middle and Smith then makes burst into the Irish 22!
But Care runs off the base, tries a grubber kick and it’s blocked. Ireland regain possession and Lowe whomps one clear.
MISSED PENALTY! England 20-22 Ireland (Elliot Daly, 76 mins)
Daly has the distance with this monster effort but it drifts wide of the right upright. Ireland survive. Was that England’s chance?
England 20-22 Ireland, 75 mins
England straight back to work and Dan carries hard up the middle. Itoje over the ball and Doris tries to contest but he’s pinged for being offside.
Penalty just inside England’s half and Elliot Daly calls for the tee...
TRY! England 20-22 Ireland (James Lowe, 73 mins)
And Ireland do score. James Lowe again out wide!
England roar up in defence but Ireland ship the ball through the hands. Gibson-Park takes an absolutely wicked shot from Furbank but he releases it to Lowe and the winger outpaces Smith to dive over in the corner.
Crowley’s touchline conversion drifts wide though, so the lead is just two.
England 20-17 Ireland, 72 mins
Lineout safely secured but England’s maul defence holds them up. Out to the backs to the left instead
England 20-17 Ireland, 71 mins
Murray slices a box-kick straight up in the air but it bounces Ireland’s way and they gleefully recover. He tries again and this one is too far.
But the Irish chase is valiant and a phase later, Kelleher wins the turnover in the tackle. The kick takes them into the 22... Big chance.
England 20-17 Ireland, 69 mins
England have gained 600 metres to Ireland’s 326. They’ve been on top in terms of territory and possession - can they turn it into victory?
O’Mahony’s sin-bin is over but Ryan Baird returns to the field instead of him. We’re at 15 vs 15 again though
England 20-17 Ireland, 68 mins
England scrum on halfway is solid but Aki absolutely crunches Daly as he tries to get a grubber away. Welcome to the game Elliot!
Ireland turnover and building an attack. BUT ENGLAND TURNOVER! Earl gets over the ball and gives it the big celebration as per!
England 20-17 Ireland, 65 mins
England changes and this is the moment! Danny Care wins his 100th cap and Twickenham roars as he comes on for Mitchell. Huge moment but he’s got an even huger job to do.
Alex Dombrandt, Chandler Cunningham-South and Elliot Daly also on.
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