Six Nations Rugby-English young bloods too strong for Ireland at Twickenham

England comprehensively defeated Ireland on a score of 33-10. Ireland opened this game in whirlwind fashion and after ten minutes led England by 0-10. An expansive Irish move led to a try by Rob Kearney. Ronan O'Gara converted and it was 0-7. Iain Balshaw was penalised for holding on. Ronan O’Gara duly converted the penalty. This was the final Irish score. In the first twenty minutes-ably marshalled by Ronan O’Gara- Ireland played an exciting brand of open rugby.

Cipriani the twenty year old English out-half orchestrated the English revival. Gradually the English pack asserted its dominance. A penalty by Cipriani made the score 3-10. Sackey scored a fine try for England and Cipriani duly converted. It was 10-10 and the writing was on the wall for Ireland. A penalty by Cipriani made the score 13-10.
The first half had its share of errors but nevertheless it was brimful of exciting rugby.


In the second half England assumed total dominance. Further tries from Matthew Tail and Noon, both converted by Cipriani and penalties converted by Cipriani made the score 33-10. Ireland did not fail for want of effort. However the centre pairing of Horgan and Trimble lacked the cutting edge of O’Driscoll and Darcy. The loss of Geordan Murphy in the first half further weakened Ireland as an attacking force. Several promising Irish attacks broke down as the moves lacked the required subtlety to unlock the English defense. Generally Irish moves broke down for lack of support as Irish players regularly found themselves outnumbered. The English forwards dominated.

Cipriani, Noon , Lipman, Croft, Borthwick, Shaw were among the English stars.
For Ireland O ’Gara, Luke Fitzgerald and Kearney had their moments.


In recent years Eddie O’Sullivan has failed to blood sufficient new players. Now the day of reckoning has arrived for Ireland. It is time to rebuild the team. Whilst new players such as Fitzgerald, Kearney, Heaslip and Buckley have been blooded they need much more playing experience to compete at higher levels. Fortunately there is a reasonably good pool of talent from which to draw. In 2007 Ireland produced a fine U-20 team. Ireland can recover.
Brian Ashton has fashioned a new English side brimful of exciting young talent. The future for England is bright