England head coach Stuart Lancaster praises 'mature' display

England head coach Stuart Lancaster says his players showed "real maturity" to beat Ireland 13-10 and keep their Six Nations title hopes alive.

The visitors led 10-3 before Danny Care's try helped Lancaster's team end Ireland's Grand Slam hopes.

"Ireland threw everything at us and once we got that lead we just clung on in there," said Lancaster, after a second straight win in the tournament.

"I think it was character, spirit, playing for the shirt."

Having lost to France on the opening weekend of the Championship, England have recovered to beat Scotland and Ireland.

They are one of four teams on four points in the table in what is one of the closest Six Nations tournaments for years.

Ireland - who were the last side with Grand Slam hopes after France lost to Wales on Friday - remain on top of the table courtesy of a better points difference, with England climbing one place into second, Wales third and France fourth.

England have not won the Six Nations since 2011 and next face defending champions Wales at Twickenham on 9 March, before they round off the campaign away to Italy six days later.

"We showed a real maturity in seeing the game out," added Lancaster.

"Given the experience and form of the Ireland team, and some of the relative inexperience in our team, I was just so proud of them and I am delighted for them.

"Ireland threw everything at us, but once we got that lead we just clung on."

The visitors arrived at Twickenham chasing a first Triple Crown since 2009, having seen off Scotland and Wales in their first two games.

Full-back Mike Brown, who was named man of the match, described England's win as "huge".

"The lads were outstanding from 1-15 - and the guys on the bench," he told BBC Sport.

"We were pretty happy at half-time but we needed to finish off the phases. They were unbeaten and we wanted to set a marker."

England now face Wales in an effective title eliminator, with the winners remaining in contention until the final day, and the losers likely to miss out.

"We'll go back into camp and work hard like we have before," added Brown. "Wales showed what they are about on Friday. They are going to be physical, they have got Lions players throughout their squad so we're really going to have to turn up again.

"Hopefully the crowd will act as another 16th man for us like they did today."

Scrum-half Care, who scored the vital try in another impressive display, added on BBC Radio 5 live: "We're looking forward to a massive game against Wales. We've given ourselves a chance [of winning the Six Nations]. We know we have to keep improving, keep getting better and take each game as it comes.

"Obviously Wales is going to be a huge game. They played really well on Friday so they are going to come here full of confidence. Hopefully it will be another great game."