Ireland 20-32 England - Player Ratings

England secured a historic 32-20 victory on Saturday away in Dublin. The English had only won once in Ireland since 2003 and had not scored a try at the Aviva in 8 years.

The Red Rose put in one of their best performances under Eddie Jones, dominating in defence and being clinical in attack. Before the game the team selection was seen as one of the strongest Jones had fielded in his tenure as coach. The Australian faced less injury issues than he had in the autumn, being able to bring Billy Vunipola back into the side as well as give Manu Tuilagi his first Six Nations start in 6 years.

England started at a high intensity with hard ball carries into the Irish defence and looking to keep the ball alive when possible. Jonny May crossed the white wash just after a minute after a phenomenal pass from captain Owen Farrell which took out a number of Irish defenders.

Ireland came back into the game from Cian Healy driving over the line only for England to reply minutes later after a Jacob Stockdale blunder gifted Elliot Daly a try to give England a 10-17 half time lead.

Ireland pressured the England line early in the second half only for England to remain solid in defence, making positive tackles. England then struck once again off a quick move with Henry Slade going over after a May dink which the TMO had to review to check for a Slade offside.

The game was then secured for England when Slade bagged his second after clutching onto a loose Jonny Sexton pass. The Irish then got a late consolation try through John Cooney.

After the game Eddie Jones was delighted with the performance saying "Our response in the second part of the first half was excellent which is where we probably won the game.

"We fell off a little bit and allowed them back into the game but reasserted our authority and scored that try before half time."

Ireland's Joe Schmidt was left frustrated by England's dominance saying "I don't think I've seen a game where our opponents have carried physically like that,"

"We did get out muscled, they had a real physical intent right from the start but we did feel they did pretty well to play the man early on. I think they did a great job at slowing the ball down, and I'm not sure I've ever seen so many dominant tackles from a side."

Player Ratings

Ireland

15. Robbie Henshaw - 5 - Struggled at unnatural position of fullback with Ben Youngs putting pressure on him with brilliant kicking display and England's kick chase.

14. Keith Earls - 4 - Never got into the game after a big hit from Tom Curry resulted in him leaving the field at half time. Was also another victim of the Youngs box kick tactic.

13. Garry Ringrose - 7 - Was one of Ireland's brightest shining backs on the day when everyone else was left flickering. If Ireland were to do anything it looked like Ringrose would be a part of it and gave a good account of himself in defence.

12. Bundee Aki - 4 - Ended up getting outclassed and smashed by his opposite number.

11. Jacob Stockdale - 4 -Struggled to get into the game and was to blame for England's second try.

10. Jonny Sexton - 5 - England's dominant defence stopped the world player of the year being able to work his magic but tried to keep the Irish in touch with his boot.

9. Connor Murray - 4 - A below par day for Murray being out-kicked by his opposing number.

8. CJ Stander - 6 - Showed some strong ball carrying as ever but was not quite at his best that everyone knows he can be at.

7. Josh Van Der Flier - 6 - One of Ireland's top tacklers on the day but couldn't do much at the breakdown.

6. Peter O'Mahony - 5 - He was noticeably frustrated with his and his teams performance which showed when he got into a heated showdown with Kyle Sinckler.

5. James Ryan - 6 - Stepped up to the challenge of facing Itoje but just like Stander was not quite at his best.

4. Devin Toner -5- Didn't embarrass himself but was unable to make a huge difference due to England's dominance.

3. Tadhg Furlong - 7 - The leinsterman was one of Ireland's better performers but once again another who couldn't push England back.

2.Rory Best - 4 - Line out's were not up to their usual high standards that we are used to seeing from the Ireland skipper.

1. Cian Healy - 7 - Got over from close range and had a good scrummaging battle against Sinckler.

Subs of note

Sean O'Brien -6- Put in a good shift off the bench putting in some big carries and tackles.

John Cooney - 6 - Bagged the late consolation try, perhaps should've come on earlier with Murray struggling.

England

15. Elliot Daly - 7 - Answered his critics with his attacking flair setting up two tries but still wasn't 100% safe under the high ball.

14. Jack Nowell - 7 - Solid workrate throughout the game, working in field on countless occasions.

13. Henry Slade - 9 - Had one of his best games in an England shirt to date picking up two tries. The first coming from a sensational pass from him to May and then poaching a second from Sexton.

12. Manu Tuilagi - 8 - Manu is almost back to his best by the looks of it with some strong ball carries throughout the game. Most notably in the first minute to give England good field position for their first try. Looked to rearrange the ribs of Aki towards the end of the game.

11. Jonny May - 9 - Had an exceptional game under the high ball stopping Ireland from playing their typical box kicking game. Finished off a nice move in the corner to give England a flying start.

10. Owen Farrell - 8 - Ran the game well from 10 and showed nerves of steel to slot a 50 metre penalty late on to help his side pull away after missing a couple of previous place kicks.

9. Ben Youngs - 8 - Outclassed Murray with his box kicking which was a fundamental part of England's success on the day.

8. Billy Vunipola - 7 - Not yet back to his best for obvious reasons but put in a good shift with strong ball carrying.

7. Tom Curry - 7 - Recovered after his yellow card and did the job expected of a seven. Helping slowing down Irish ball and making dominant tackles.

6. Mark Wilson -8- Joined his fellow flanker in slowing down Irish ball and was strong in defence.

5. George Kruis - 7 - Many questioned Eddie's decision not to start Lawes over Kruis but he did his job at the lineout which allowed his backs to play from a strong foundation.

4. Maro Itoje - 8 - The term 'you do you' comes to mind after his performance on saturday evening. Was his typical self with his physicality in the tackle and ball carrying. Hopefully the knee injury he picks up is not too bad.

3. Kyle Sinckler - 7 - A solid all round day at the office for the Harlequin with strong scrummaging, defence and ball carrying.

2. Jamie George - 8 - Was consistent at the lineout and worked well with clubmates Itoje and Kruis.

1.Mako Vunipola - 9 - A deserved MOTM yesterday after completing 23 tackles and some strong ball carrying. He was unlucky to have a try ruled out from borderline call of double movement.

Subs of Note

Harry Williams - 6 - Did the job required of him when he came on for Sinckler.

Courtney Lawes - 7 - Put his all into the 15 minutes he was on the pitch with a couple of big hits and a crucial turnover.

England will be looking to carry this momentum into their game against France next week whilst Ireland will look to get their title challenge back on track at Murrayfield.

If you disagree with any of my opinions tweet me @ballersblog1 or @hynesjourno.

#guinnesssixnations #guinesssixnations #england #rugby #Ireland #sexton #vunipola #itoje #carbery #farrell #may #stockdale #nowell #tuilagi #henryslade