ENGLAND extended their winning sequence against Ireland to six matches in the A sphere of international activity, when they overcame a very indifferent start to win by 44 points to 30 at Donnybrook yesterday.
For Ireland, it was a case of flattering to deceive, as they built a 19 point lead after just 13 minutes with three tries, two of them splendidly created and one as a result of a block down near the England line. But the departure because of injury after 19 minutes of outside half Paul Burke, who had been so influential in Ireland's sparkling start, allied to some unforced errors and the power of the visitors' pack, enabled England to get back into the game by the interval at which stage Ireland led by 22-15.
The bigger, stronger and more experienced England pack dominated for the last 10 minutes of the first half and most of the second. They won the line out comprehensively, with Gareth Archer the main agent of supply and they had an excellent back row and the necessary strength to prosper on the possession.
The Irish pack, severely depleted because of alterations enforced by injuries during the week, did not have the attributes to deal with a superior force, a point readily acknowledged by Ireland coach David Haskett. But he and manager Ray Coughlan were far from downbeat after the match and saw many positive aspects in Ireland's performance. "We made a great start and played some excellent rugby and, bearing in mind the ongoing alterations we have to make in the team and the disruption caused by the withdrawals of several of the pack earlier in the week, it was in many respects a very good performance against a very strong England side. Paul Burke was a great loss as losing our outside half obviously had a disruptive effect, especially when he had played so well during his brief stay on the field," said Haslett.
England scored six tries between the 30th and 69th minutes as Ireland struggled to contain and added to their own difficulties by, making mistakes. In addition, Ireland missed three relatively easy penalty kicks in the first half with Burke, his replacement Niall Malone - who had anything but a happy outing - and Killian Keane all wide. Indeed, Keane missed another likely opportunity in the 53rd minute at a time when Ireland led 25-22 and just before the England pack in which Anthony Diprose and Neil Back - is there a better open side flanker in any of the home countries? - exerted their authority yet again. The Irish scrummaging was solid enough but, that area apart, the England forwards were superior.
It all started so well for Ireland. An excellent movement, which began with scrum half Stephen McIvor throwing out a long pass which was gathered in midfield by Ben Cronin, who found support from Kurt McQuilkin and Niall Woods, before Keane finished off by scoring in the left corner. Burke could not convert but added the goal points from the touchline to a try which he created for Conor O'Shea with a superb break. So eight minutes gone and Ireland 12-0 ahead. Things got even better within another five minutes when prop Gavin Walsh blocked down Nick Greenstock's kick and got over for Ireland's third try and again Burke kicked a great conversion.
England had been hit by a blitz, but had the power and the will to overcome it. Their first inroad came when outside half Mark Mapletoft kicked a penalty and then wing Adedayo Adebayo got a try after a poor drop out by Malone enabled England to set up the attacking position. Mapletoft converted that before Keane kicked a penalty in the 36th minute. But England scored again when Cronin lost possession and Ireland conceded penalties, initially for offside and then for not retreating; England moved to within a few yards of the Irish line and Diprose did the rest. So it was 22-15 to Ireland at half time, but crucially, the game had taken a turn in England's favour.
Scott Benton got England's third try and Mapletoft converted within five minutes of the resumption to bring the scores level, before Keane kicked a penalty to leave Ireland a tenuous three points clear. However, a great run by Diprose in the 57th minute was the prelude to a try by Greenstock, which Mapletoft converted to give England the lead for the first time. Mapletoft added a penalty to put England 25-32 clear and then Back and Mapletoft got tries, one converted by Mapletoft to leave no semblance of doubt about England's superiority. Malone added a try for Ireland five minutes from the end, after England had uncharacteristically lost possession.
