Ireland have denied England the chance to make some serious history, ending their undefeated streak with a 13-9 win in Dublin on Sunday morning (AEDT).
England were in the mix to become the outright record holders for the most consecutive Test wins – they had 18 in a row, equal with the streak achieved by the All Blacks last year.
They also could have become the first team in history to record two Six Nations grand slams back-to-back – while they’ll still win the 2017 tournament, their record is not without blemish.
It also brings to an end Eddie Jones’ unbeaten run as the coach of England.
Ironically just months after ending the All Blacks’ winning streak, it is Ireland who have once again played the role of the spoiler.
The Irish held England tryless in a low-scoring, defensive match, while recording the only try of the match through Iain Henderson in the 24th minute.
England’s nine points all came through penalties kicked by Owen Farrell, while Johnny Sexton kicked two penalties for the Irish and converted Henderson’s try.
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“I thought we played really well in the first 20 mins. We went very close in the right hand corner twice with [Keith] Earls and [Garry] Ringrose. Ringrose was a revelation again today. He keeps taking steps forward. That 20 mins gave us confidence,” said Ireland coach Joe Schmidt.
“It was probably a game for the purists. But a game that demonstrated courage is still important at this level.
“I thought Iain [Henderson] was massive tonight. He’s been a player who has been coming for a long time and arrived a bit tonight. All credit to England, they’ve been brilliant for eighteen months. They deserve to be out there with their trophy.”
England’s captain Dylan Hartley said the match showed England still had improvements to make.
“We are disappointed. We had high hopes, high expectations. But it goes to show we are not quite there as a team. Credit to Ireland. I think it was negative upon negative, we backed one error up with another.”
Final score
Ireland 13
England 9
Badger Bob
Guest
More rubbish from Jones.... Ireland were missing 3 starters and still crushed England in every department. The truth is Newzealand are far ahead of England and if I were EJ Id be trying to avoid the all blacks until 2019 so I don't get embarrassed. Could only see Itoje and farrell (if hes lucky) making the irish team at the moment.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Interesting, Daire. Tommy Bowe...to add a bit more...his family home is in Monaghan, but he was educated at the ancient Armagh Royal School, across the border. He too has a Gaelic background......know a bit about him as he was coached by Kenny Hooks, whom I coached for five years at Bangor GS...Kenny could have been one of Irelands great wingers...but lost out to Trevor Ringland ....a very good player...and Keith Crossan...IMO an inferior player, but remained entrenched for several years. Methodist in Ulster..yes Methodist College in Belfast is a famous nursery...Paddy Jackson was educated there. Probably more Presbyterians in the rugby schools there. Rainey Endowed School in Magherafelt is an interesting one. Always a fair number of Catholic kids there, and the boys were often good gaelic players....they could play at school, but thereafter Rule 27 of the GAA prohibited them playing foreign games......such as rugby, soccer......this was enforced throughout Ireland till 1971. After the removal of the ban several very good Gaelic background players played rugby for Ireland...Moss Keane, the Doyle brothers, the Spring brothers.....this is off the top of my head....you would know more than I on this I'm sure. Very interesting and informative discussion above....as I now live in Australia, I am not as up to date with Irish/European rugby as once was.....so thanks everyone commenting.
timber
Guest
It's not reasonable to call the Queen German, the main line has been born and bred in England for several centuries. Also, her mother was from the British nobility.
ads2600
Guest
Too right adastra32, Chris Rattue is a disgrace to New Zealand sport & media.
ads2600
Guest
Hi Bakkies, going off topic here, but having read your comment about Isaac Boss being woeful, I would like to know what it was about his play, that was not up to standard in your opinion? I played with and against him, right throughout primary (was player of the Rollermills tournament) & high school, & he was always an exceptional talent (something in the water in Tokoroa I think), and have always wondered how he got on once he left the Chiefs? Thanks
Dave from Mt Druitt
Guest
A true rugby fan would acknowledge that England have equalled the All Blacks record of 18 consecutive wins.
taylorman
Guest
The point being? They won didn't they? Winning when you shouldn't is part of the thevreason they've equalled the record.
taylorman
Guest
Well until last weekend? He didn't.
Bakkies
Guest
'May not have been respectful, but it was correct. Certainly England played below themselves. You don’t win 18 tests in a row then play like that.' Did you watch their performance against France? England played that poorly too however the French weren't smart and clinical enough to win
Bakkies
Guest
'1. Denis Buckley, 2. Sean Cronin, 3. John Ryan, 4. Ultan Dillane, 5. Kieran Treadwell, 6. Rhys Ruddock, 7. Dan Leavy, 8. Jack Conan, 9. Kieran Marmion, 10. Paddy Jackson, 11. Adam Byrne, 12. Stuart McCloskey, 13. Stuart Olding, 14. Jacob Stockdale, 15. Tiernan O’Halloran, Subs: 16. Niall Scannell, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Finlay Bealham, 19. Sean O’Brien(Connacht version), 20. Eoghan Masterson, 21. Luke McGrath, 22. Joey Carbery, 23. Darren Sweetnam.' Probably could end up being 1. Healy (should be rested) 2. Scannell 3. Bealham 4. Donnacha Ryan 5. Henderson 6. Ruddock 7. van der Flier 8. Conan 9. Marmion 10. Jackson 11. Byrne 12. Olding 13. Luke Marshall 14. Earls 15. Payne 16. Kilcoyne (would like to see him start with Buckley on the bench but have to realistic) 17. Tracey 18. John Ryan 19. Toner/Dillane 20. Leavy 21. McGrath 22. Carbery 23. O'Halloran
Sydney Potae
Roar Rookie
Would you have eddie in your ear or the teams telling everone his opinion instead of following your vision as head coach and not his eddie not very good at playing 2nd fiddle
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Are you sure about that...the players with a Gaelic background, the Munstermen, CJ Stander....I think things have changed a bit in Irish rugby
Digby
Roar Guru
Really exciting Pot. Whens the squad announcement? Cant be too fair away I would have thought?
Daire Thornton
Guest
Well Ireland have defeated England more than any team in world rugby apart from Wales so we are their nemesis. They havent even scored a try in Dublin since 2011.
Daire Thornton
Guest
You seem to have a big horn for Eddie Jones T'man. The guy can do no wrong?
Daire Thornton
Guest
and Wales in a rwc friendly. Ireland have a really strong record at home. England only have one win there in 10 years in the 6n and havent scored a try in Dublin since 2011. The loss to Australia was also Schmidts first match with very little prep.
Derm
Roar Guru
No.
Derm
Roar Guru
??
Derm
Roar Guru
Nearly Digger, nearly. A few more sleeps and they'll be there.....
Derm
Roar Guru
I think maybe it's because Mitchell is not living in Ireland, Daire. Or if he is, it must be in 1947.