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).
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Ireland 13
England 9
Under the tutelage of Eddie Jones England have maintained a faultless record and head to the Aviva Stadium in Dublin with history beckoning.
A win will mean England becomes the new Tier 1 world record holder for most consecutive test wins with 19.
Additionally England will be first team in the Six Nations era to claim back to back Grand Slams.
Can Ireland stop the English juggernaut? Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4am AEDT.
England scored a record win against Scotland to seal the Six Nations crown last weekend, but will be desperate to claim two Grand Slams in a row for the first time since 1992.
The English team is very settled with only two changes from the Scottish demolition.
Billy Vunipola starts at No.8 for the first time this year demoting the impressive Nathan Hughes to the reserves.
Anthony Watson starts on the wing at the expense of Jack Nowell while Tom Wood will win his 50th cap if given an opportunity from the bench.
Ireland appeared to run out of attacking ideas against Wales. Despite a multitude of possession, the Irish were soundly beaten three tries to nil.
Injury has ruled out both Conor Murray and Rob Kearney. Kieran Marmion and Jared Payne will start in their place. The loss of Murray is a particularly huge blow given he directs much of Ireland’s attack, boasts an educated boot and remains a real shot of starting for the Lions.
Ireland have also been forced into changes in the second row. Devon Toner is dropped with Donnacha Ryan and Iain Henderson linking up in the second row. Andrew Conway will debut if introduced from the bench.
The clash between captains Dylan Hartley and Rory Best at hooker will be titanic. Hartley hasn’t hit top form in recent games while Best has been a Trojan. Both are strong contenders to lead the Lions.
England will target the lineout while the speed of the Irish back row could push England.
Ireland will be better than what they were against Wales, but England despite looking vulnerable at times will be hard to topple.
Remarkably Owen Farrell is unbeaten in his past 35 matches for club or country dating back to January 2016. He needs six points to reach 600 for England.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 4am AEDT.
Highlander
Guest
just saw the name autocorrect - that wasn't an intentional slight, sorry
hein cloete
Guest
In Pretoria C J Stander was told he is too small to play flank by one of the Bulls rugby experts, and denied him a contract. Robshaw the England captain in the last world cup turned down a penalty kick at the posts and chose to go for the corner instead, the rest is history. The Poms don't learn. Yesterday they get 2 kick able penalties and guess what, they fall into the same trap. The rest is now history. Eddie Jones calls out the All Blacks before the game. Brave or stupid who knows. Eddie wait till after The Lions tour, then make a call or rather i suspect you will be doodstil. The last word in my language Afrikaans, a very descriptive language means dead quiet.
peter
Guest
Yes the English started believing their own hype lol they always does that and end up breaking the nations heart lol remember they beat the southern hemisphere teams that are rebuilding and escaped against Italy France and Wales so they not as good as the papers make them out to be. Wonder if they still want to make special arrangements to play new Zealand in November lol. NZ will embarrass them big time.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
'Good effort on equalling the record but never holding it outright is a bit like kissing your sister.' ?.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Oh yeah? ... I doubt Hansen is thinking that...
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes very poor, didnt show all the qualities that got them this far. Danny Care in panic mode at the end trying to rush everything. Time was up! Why the need to rush? Cool heads and composure was needed to control the phased plays to have any chance of scoring. They should watch how the ABs did it after the final whistle with 60 meters to go. No one was running around like the chook that Care was. Anyway, just an observation. Irrland played well, great defence and pity about the conditions. And Eddie... you have a loss! How will you react? Good effort on equalling the record but never holding it outright is a bit like kissing your sister. Hard luck England, didnt think you would lose that one and spoil my GS pick, but happy to be proved wrong. Its annoying the record is shared because the ABs will effectively only be chasing their own record. Pity. Would prefer England to have won that for that alone. Anyway, we move on and no doubt northern international talk will focus on the Lions tour where Gatlands been done no favours with this result. Hes got to pick an England Ireland strong side, the only two sides to beat SH sides in the past twelve months. Hard luck England, well done Ireland. We await the next chapter of Eddies career...reaction to a loss, and a fairly significant one. Lets see if he can take as much as he can give. I sure hope so. The games a better place with eddie in it.?
Highlander
Guest
Adam, you shouldn't even use the word 'tries' in your summary after that England performance, how about 'attempts'
Barham
Roar Rookie
Ireland were superb, and 4 points did not reflect the difference between the sides. No disgrace for England, they were outplayed. England are a very good side, and so are Ireland. Well done to them for nailing it.
Ryan
Guest
That was a heroic effort by Ireland. It also highlights the point that England aren't as good as they think they are.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
At the start of the second half (from 40min mark to 60) they went to the backs a bit, but then, despite the fact they were making inroads and the forwards were doing well they reverted back to 10-man rugby. It was very odd.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
England are going to need a vast improvement in terms of consistently producing backline flair if they're going to challenge the All Blacks. They have the forwards to (just about) match the Kiwis, but they can't go in with a backline playing like that against the ABs. England's match against Scotland really was the outlier in this year's 6N. Poor showings against France, Wales and Ireland now. Really hard fought and committed win by Ireland!
Highlander
Guest
More the opposition I think Fiona it's easy to throw the ball around when you have a flying start against 14 men, a little different against a very solid Ireland side - but it wasn't first phase attack didn't work, they didn't go there at all, that goes to the heart of how you play the game.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
lol ... a real arm wrestle that 2nd half....
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Could it be possible to have more of a contrast between England's performance last week compared to this week? Where did that first phase flair come go?
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Thanks Adam for your blog..
Carlos the Argie
Guest
ABE= IRE! Wow!
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
England's winning streak is over at 18. Ireland lost two captains and vast experience but outplayed England who basically reverted to type and tries to win through penalties. Ireland prevent England from winning a Grand Slam in 2001 and 2011. Ireland Best: Garry Ringrose, Sean O’Brien, Iain Henderson, Donnacha Ryan, Jack McGrath, Peter O’Mahony England Best: Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, Maro Itoje
Highlander
Guest
Congratulations Ireland, committed as ever If by a teams actions do we know them, then England were exposed for reverting to type when it really mattered. No first phase flair, only making ground by drawing penalties, and no ability to react on the hoof this time. Jones didn't bring enough change to upset the Schmidt formula -
JMB
Guest
Awesome job Ireland. ha England think they are near the All Blacks woulda got smashed by 20+ by them easily.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Heroic defensive performance by Ireland ... deserved the win from their first half effort ....