England wreck Irish slam dreams with last-gasp win

Marcus Smith’s stoppage-time successful drop purpose has rewarded England’s stand-out efficiency of the Steve Borthwick period because the Six Nations title race was taken to the ultimate weekend with their 23-22 victory over Eire.

Smith, making his first look of the event after recovering from a calf damage, struck within the remaining act of the sport on Saturday to disclaim Eire back-to-back grand slams on a day of excessive drama at Twickenham.

Watched from the stands by former captain Owen Farrell, England’s assault lastly ignited as Ollie Lawrence, George Furbank and Ben Earl plundered tries to topple opponents who had been put in by bookmakers as odds-on favourites to win.

The Achilles heel of failing to capitalise on visits to the 22 seemed to be harming them as soon as once more and their 8-6 lead was a poor return for half an hour of dominance that produced only a single strive for Lawrence.

However they have been impressed within the closing phases, absorbing James Lowe’s 72nd-minute strive that appeared to have snatched the win for Eire after which hanging by Smith amid a late do-or-die assault.

England, trailing 22-20, produced one final assault and took it to the Irish try-line, the place they acquired consecutive penalty benefits because the clock moved into the pink.

If the play had damaged down, Smith would have had a penalty kick to win the match. As an alternative, he snapped off his drop purpose from contained in the 22 and in entrance of the posts to win it.

Eire can nonetheless retain the championship with a win or draw once they host Scotland subsequent weekend within the final spherical.

England dominated possession and territory however weren’t scientific with their probabilities. They outscored Eire three tries to 2, however had one other strive dominated out and missed seven factors off the tee because the lead modified 5 occasions in a thriller.

It was an amazing day for England’s alternative halfback Danny Care, who was in a position to rejoice his a hundredth cap with an enormous win.