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As it happenedended

Henry Slade double sees England stun favourites Ireland in Six Nations opener

Relive all the action from the Six Nations clash at the Aviva Stadium

Jack de Menezes
Aviva Stadium
Saturday 02 February 2019 14:35 EST
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Six Nations preview: England in profile

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England stunned reigning Six Nations champions Ireland 32-20 to take a giant step towards reclaiming their crown with a first win in Dublin for six years.

Leading 17-13 in an epic opening-weekend title showdown that lived up to expectations, they engineered the decisive moment in the 66th minute when Henry Slade and Jonny May combined brilliantly from a scrum for Slade to touch down.

It was a try made possible by the pace of May, who along with Jack Nowell on the opposite wing was magnificent throughout an afternoon of drama and high-quality rugby.

Owen Farrell was on target with a penalty to put the game beyond Ireland's reach as the Aviva Stadium was stormed for the first time in the Six Nations since 2013, securing Eddie Jones' 29th win in 36 Tests.

Joe Schmidt's Grand Slam champions fell apart in the closing stages, enabling Slade to plunder his second try, before replacement John Cooney restored some scoreboard credibility in the final seconds.

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58 mins: It's actually Hughes who is scrummaging at lock with Lawes, and while that's a powerful pairing, it's hardly ideal for England. Ireland attack from the scrum but Slade puts in a good tackle on Ringrose and the ball is knocked forwards.

Jack de Menezes2 February 2019 18:12

Here's Ireland's first-half try scored by Cian Healy: 

Jack de Menezes2 February 2019 18:13

60 mins: Sexton is penalised for not rolling away and it gives Farrell a shot at goal from all of 40m. He has a quick chat with long-range kicker Daly, but Farrell decides he's going to have it.

Jack de Menezes2 February 2019 18:14

62 mins: The crowd cheers as Farrell misses his kick to the left. How big will that mistake prove come the end?

Jack de Menezes2 February 2019 18:15

66 mins: TRY FOR ENGLAND!...But it's gone to the TMO...

Jack de Menezes2 February 2019 18:21

66 mins: TRY! England break from first-phase. Farrell goes left to Slade, who floats a miss-pass to May. May kicks up-field and Slade is in a foot race with Ringrose, and it's the England man who gets there first! However, Garces wants to check where Slade is...and it's given!

Jack de Menezes2 February 2019 18:22

66 mins: That's a huge blow to Ireland's hopes as England extend the lead out fo nine points and - crucially - two scores, though Farrell misses the conversion that would have required two tries. 13-22

Jack de Menezes2 February 2019 18:25

69 mins: England emphatically celebrate a penalty as Lawes absolutely levels Ringrose and both Wilson and Billy Vunipola are there to get the holding on decision. Farrell will go for goal from nearly halfway, and you wonder if Daly should be going for this.

Jack de Menezes2 February 2019 18:26

70 mins: Farrell gets it! What a kick that was! 13-25

Jack de Menezes2 February 2019 18:27

73 mins: A smart chip behind from Youngs forces Henshaw to retreat and May is their to trap him deep in his 22, forcing Murray to kick to touch inside their own half. Ringrose limps off as Joey Carbery comes on, with Swing Low ringing around Landsdowne Road.

Jack de Menezes2 February 2019 18:31

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