Ireland 9 - 20 England - Final Score - Post Match discussion.

England gave themselves a confidence boost a fortnight before the World Cup as they condemned Ireland to a fourth straight warm-up defeat.

An early Manu Tuilagi try and two Jonny Wilkinson penalties saw England lead 13-9 at half-time, Ronan O'Gara landing three kicks in reply.

With Chris Ashton in the sin-bin, England stretched their lead with a Delon Armitage try.

That proved the final score as heavy rain made conditions tricky.

Five months after their humbling 24-8 defeat attempting a Six Nations Grand Slam in Dublin, England will take heart from their first victory in the Irish capital since 2003.

But the casualty rate of the warm-up programme escalated further, with both sides suffering more injuries days before departing for New Zealand.

Ireland saw David Wallace stretchered off and Jamie Heaslip also depart in the first half, while Hendre Fourie and Mark Cueto only lasted the opening quarter for England.

ENGLAND'S WORLD CUP FIXTURES
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v Argentina: 10 Sept, Dunedin
v Georgia: 18 Sept, Dunedin
v Romania: 24 Sept, Dunedin
v Scotland: 01 Oct, Auckland
Fourie - not in the 30-man World Cup squad - had only been drafted in as a late replacement after Nick Easter joined fellow back-rows Tom Wood and Lewis Moody on the sidelines, with James Haskell starting at number eight.

Fourie was heavily involved in England's opening salvo before two minutes of pressure came to nothing when Wilkinson's right-footed drop-goal from long range drifted wide.

But the visitors didn't have long to wait to get on the scoreboard. After a powerful scrum and pick-up from Haskell, England moved the ball left and a simple pass from Mike Tindall sent Tuilagi arcing round an out-of-position Keith Earls to score his second try in as many Tests, Wilkinson converting.

Ireland replied when Geordan Murphy fielded an aimless kick from Wilkinson and was blatantly impeded by Courtney Lawes as he tried to run it back, O'Gara landing the penalty.

But England's scrum power was evident as they pushed the Irish back on their own ball, giving Wilkinson the opportunity to make it 10-3.

Ireland refused several more kicks at goal, Eoin Reddan taking a quick tap penalty close to the England line, only to see Cueto intercept his scoring pass with two men outside him.

Tuilagi's impact on the game continued to be felt, particularly by Wallace.

The Ireland flanker carried the ball through Tuilagi's initial tackle but did not survive a second encounter with the Anglo-Samoan, being stretchered off with a knee injury as O'Gara was landing his second penalty for the high tackle.

England also lost Fourie - replaced by lock Tom Palmer with Lawes moving into the back row - and Cueto, with Armitage replacing the latter.

A marginal high tackle by Stephen Ferris on Lawes saw Wilkinson make it 13-6 in the 27th minute, and England should have extended their lead on the half-hour.

Tuilagi picked up a loose Ireland line-out in his own half and galloped 60m before Murphy collared him, but England butchered a clear overlap with poor passes from Wilkinson and Lawes, Chris Ashton and Ben Foden bawling their frustration.

IRELAND'S WORLD CUP FIXTURES
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v USA: 11 Sept, New Plymouth
v Australia: 17 Sept, Auckland
v Russia: 25 Sept, Rotorua
v Italy: 02 Oct, Dunedin
Referee Nigel Owens lectured England captain Tindall as the penalty count rose, then warned Tom Croft after a skirmish with Cian Healy on the floor.

Ireland finished the half in the ascendancy but the visitors kept out a wave of attacks to preserve their lead.

They should have been hampered on the resumption with Ashton was sin-binned, but O'Gara's penalty came back off an upright.

Instead England stretched their lead while down to 14 men as Tindall's beautifully-weighted grubber kick was gathered by Armitage to touch down, Wilkinson's conversion pushing them out to 20-9.

But it was a mixed outing for the celebrated fly-half, who over-cooked a penalty kicked to the corner and saw another pass go to ground.

As the heavens opened on the hour, neither side was able to sustain any momentum in the final quarter, despite Paul O'Connell's promptings for Ireland.

The hosts depart for the World Cup on the back of four straight defeats, England buoyed by victory two weeks before they take on Argentina.

Ireland: Murphy, Bowe, Earls, D'Arcy, Trimble, O'Gara, Reddan; Healy, Flannery, Ross, O'Callaghan, O'Connell, Ferris, Wallace, Heaslip. Replacements: Best (for Flannery, 50), Court (for Healy, 70), Ryan (for Heaslip, 35), Leamy (for Wallace, 22), Murray (for Reddan, 62), Sexton (for O'Gara, 62), McFadden (71).

England: Foden, Ashton, Tuilagi, Tindall, Cueto, Wilkinson, Wigglesworth; Sheridan, Thompson, Cole, Deacon, Lawes, Croft, Fourie, Haskell. Replacements: Hartley (for Thompson, 52), Stevens (for Sheridan, 57), Shaw (for Deacon, 62), Palmer (for Fourie, 21), Simpson, Flood (for Tindall, 75), Armitage (for Cueto, 21).

Yellow card: Chris Ashton (41)

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Attendance: 48,523

Big game for both teams. I think that it will be very close but Ireland by 5.

Ireland by 10. Fourie? Oh dear. If any back row get injured we're properly screwed.

Most cringeworthy Ireland's Call ever?

Why do Ireland have money written under the O2 logo?

greybeard wrote:Most cringeworthy Ireland's Call ever?

definitely!

Well England starting well. Too strong there.

Jesus... terrible defence from Ireland, they need to sort themselves out.
I hope they get better in the world Cup or Kidney will be looking for a new job.

Chance for points for Ireland. Defo penalty and nothing more.

What a suprise D'Arcy knocks on

England already look a class above. Its going to be a long day for Ireland. 3-10 England

O'Conell wants to be careful the last thing you want to do is annoy Owens, he will hammer you if you do.

how was it forward?

Lucky for Ireland, that was not forward

Hope Wallace is ok.

David Wallace down with a knee injury, I did worry whether this was 1 game too many for Ireland. they really cant afford to lose him, he's one of the best in the northern hemisphere.

That was a big hit on Wally. Doesnt look good for him.

Is anyone else sick of England giving away a penalty every single time the ball is in their 22?

Yellow card must come out soon.

I say this in every England game - but something needs to change. Rugby can't be reduced to this.

eirebilly wrote:That was a big hit on Wally. Doesnt look good for him.

Actually I'm not sure what is wrong with that tackle. it wasnt around the neck and it wasnt a shoulder charge or a spear tackle.

AlynDavies wrote:

eirebilly wrote:That was a big hit on Wally. Doesnt look good for him.

Actually I'm not sure what is wrong with that tackle. it wasnt around the neck and it wasnt a shoulder charge or a spear tackle.

Thats why i said that it was a big hit, didnt see too much wrong with it either.

what happened to david wallace??dislocated knee???

faraway wrote:what happened to david wallace??dislocated knee???

Tugi tackled him into touch and he twisted his knee, hopefully it's not to serious.

How was that a high tackle??

I'd say that looks like a torn cruciate ligament

mpc28 wrote:I'd say that looks like a torn cruciate ligament

He was in distress clearly... If it was twisted I dont think Wallace would of had that reaction.

Steve Thompson looks very unfit, I wonder how long he will last.
In fact looking at a lot of the English pack you wonder if their forwards training has involved anything more than eating pies and drinking.

I'm gutted this isnt on the BBC, I'd love to see his reaction to that Tugi break... "We would of put those tries away if Ashton was on his shoulder"
Where was Ashton then?

Lawes' poor pass saves D'Arcy somewhat there.

D'Arcy is just not cutting it here and hasnt for a while for Ireland.

Sky are rubbish. The directing has been poor and barnes is a disgrace. As usual

Ball approaches England's 22 - Penalty. What a surprise.

C'mon Owens, send one of them off.

Ireland being out played but are only 4 points behind.

Scary with all the injuries.

TheGreyGhost wrote:Ball approaches England's 22 - Penalty. What a surprise.

C'mon Owens, send one of them off.

He's warned them now.. I think one would of gone sooner if O'Connell hadn't annoyed Owens earlier, it will take Ireland a while before he's sympathetic to them again.
The last thing you want to do with Owens is back chat and annoy him, and both teams have done it already.

did cueto get replaced?

I hope they just took Heaslip off as a precaution.

Ireland would of done very well to get in at halftime only 4 points down.

Question for the Irish fans, Is Gordon D'arcy good enough to be in this team? i havent seen him play well in a green shirt for a good while.

mpc28 wrote:Ireland would of done very well to get in at halftime only 4 points down.

Question for the Irish fans, Is Gordon D'arcy good enough to be in this team? i havent seen him play well in a green shirt for a good while.

He's there on past reputation to be honest isnt he?
Wales have picked far too many players in recent season on past form and Kidney is making the same mistake as Gatland.

Did Owens just give England a team warning, then blow them up for 2 more penalties and still no yellow?

mpc28 wrote:Ireland would of done very well to get in at halftime only 4 points down.

Question for the Irish fans, Is Gordon D'arcy good enough to be in this team? i havent seen him play well in a green shirt for a good while.

He is a major worry. I cant believe that he is still being started. Great player but has been given more than enough time to find his form for Ireland

Irish dropping like flies. Stay down.

Coverage is poor. I think the high tackle that no one could understand happened AFTER the TV replay cut away, not the tackle they focused on

That will be the second official warning then

You can never have enough warnings, apparently.

Will England blow up as they did against Wales due to fitness?

Amazing that Ireland are still in this after being outplayed for the majority.

I wonder how quickly England will tire in the second half, I think the Irish still have a lot left in the tank, but Ireland seem to have forgotten how to win so it might not be so easy.
I will go with Ireland by 4 points though.

England will be fairly disappointed with that half should be a lot further ahead, lawes and wilkinson blew a certain try.
For Ireland I haven't a f***ing clue what the point of gaffney is. The backs are clueless in attack, defence quite good besides the Flip up for the try but sh1t like that happens. Not been impressed with reddan today, some awful stupid play but hopefully just getting it out of his system before the world cup.
Backrow is in a lot of trouble, ferris playing well. I want to see sexton and murray on soon.

Flannery also playing well, and worryingly both props have needed treatment.

Rubbish passing from England. It was only that one chance Lawes threw away that infuriated me

Not bad for Ireland considering we gifted them a try and butchered a few point scoring opportunities of our own.Our scrum halves need to stop throwing intercepts and our lineout needs to improve when we are in a good attacking position.

All in all my confidence is dropping as to how we'll get on in the WC.

I am more worried at just how much Ireland may tire in the second half Alyn. England have played well but their indiscipline is costing them again and allowing Ireland to get a foothold in the game.

I really hope that Wally is ok.

paul wallace talking about his brother, can't he text him to know how bad is it? we wanna know!