An absolutely incredible intensity.
Huge duels, high pace, strokes of genius, everything was there this Saturday afternoon, during the duel between England and Ireland as part of the 4th day of the Six Nations Tournament.
More impactful, the XV de la Rose finally won in an incandescent Twickenham (23-22), ending the Irish's series of 11 consecutive victories in the Six Nations.
The first banderilla arrived after only four minutes of play. After a big duel won by Tommy Freeman, which left Calvin Nash on the ground, victim of a severe concussion, the ball continued to live, and reached Ollie Lawrence.
At full speed, the center dropped Jack Crowley and sped towards the goal to flatten for a corner.
Twenty minutes later, Ollie Lawrence even thought he would score a double at the end of a stifling English sequence.
After attempting a short kick over the top, the center saw the ball come back into his hands.
A forward from George Furbank finally forced the referee to cancel this try, and gave the Irish some breathing room.
Despite the great pressure from the English, it was ultimately the XV du Trèfle which returned to the locker room with an advantage.
Clumsy against the poles, George Ford left seven points on the way this Saturday, while Jack Crowley piled up the penalties, allowing his team to stay in the game (8-12).
The Ben Earl Show
An Ireland match without a try is, however, impossible.
At the very start of the second period, after a shot perfectly captured by Hugo Keenan, the Irish launched an unstoppable sequence, concluded in a corner by James Lowe (44th).
The English response was immediate.
Launched by Maro Itoje, George Furbank found the opening in the Irish defense, and gave hope to his team (13-17).
The turning point of the match finally came in the 58th minute.
Guilty of a deliberate foul to stop a magnificent offensive from Ben Earl, fantastic in this second half, Peter O'Mahony received a yellow card which allowed the English to score a third try.
It came from the third line, at the conclusion of a stifling sequence (60th).
This incredible match was, however, far from over.
Already author of the first Irish try, James Lowe scored a double seven minutes from the end of the match by resisting the tackle of Marcus Smith after a lot of work from his teammates (20-22).
Ireland remains in the lead
The English then gave everything to achieve this victory.
Implausible percussions, follow-up kicks, touches, every option was tried.
Sequences which caused the injury of several players.
Chandler Cunningham-South notably had to give up his place, injured in the knee.
It was finally a drop from Marcus Smith, returning from injury, after the siren which offered victory to the XV de la Rose (23-22).
🏉 #SixNationsRugby |
In a extraordinary atmosphere at Twickenham, Marcus Smith delivers England by scoring the decisive drop (23-22)
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❌ There will be no All-Ireland Grand Slam this year!
pic.twitter.com/rqiidfCPnu
— francetvsport (@francetvsport) March 9, 2024
This match will undoubtedly go down in the history of the Six Nations Tournament.
It also cost the Irish the Grand Slam.
However, they are still in a good position to win the tournament, as they are four points ahead of their opponent today before hosting Scotland on the final day of competition next weekend.