England beat Ireland 21-10 at Twickenham
England go top of the Six Nations table
Brown and Watson tries for England
Murray try earlier for Ireland
Scotland beat Italy 36-20 in Rome
Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at Twickenham
Sloppy mistakes from cold fingers in that first half, England with the majority of territory and possession yet lacking the precision to turn that into points.
Billy Vunipola thumping holes once again, Ireland's half-backs struggling to pull the strings off so little ball. A mere three-point lead it may be, but England will expect to win this from here.
England 6-3 Ireland
Matt Dawson
2003 World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 live
Image source, Reuters“I think Ireland are in trouble here. England are carving Ireland apart but they just cannot get the right pass at the moment but with 15-20 minutes to go, the pressure will tell. The inter-play between Ford and Farrell is good and generally the play is very speedy.”
Denis Hickie
Former Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live
“England’s good play is all starting with Vunipola. He has been excellent. For the second half, I worry about Ireland’s game management, they are looking to play in all the wrong areas.”
Half-time
Image source, .England 6-3 Ireland
It's messy, it's scrappy, neither side able to keep hold of the ball and Romain Poite has seen enough of this half.
Ireland have already made 90 tackles in this half and surely, eventually, such defending is going to take its toll.
Stuart McCloskey sashays through midfield, from his own half into opposition territory... The visitors retain possession, CJ Stander this time with the ball but Maro Itoje turns it over. Brilliant from the debutant.
Matt Dawson
2003 World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 live
“I always thought the Irish boys' understanding of phase-play was strong but after a couple of phases they look disjointed.”
England far more threatening than their opponents with the ball in hand. Ireland sluggish in possession, leaving Johnny Sexton with little option but to kick it towards the Twickenham sky which ultimately gifts the hosts possession so commanding is Mike Brown.
Denis Hickie
Former Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live
“This is a feature of Ireland’s game, giving away offensive penalties when getting the ball after a period of defending.”
England 6-3 Ireland
Image source, Getty ImagesIreland, after a promising start, have spent the last 10 minutes defending and on the rare occasion they have ball in hand they mess up - largely thanks to James Haskell's pick-pocketing at the breakdown.
Owen Farrell adds the three points, a reward for England's dominance.
Ah, Joe Marler forces the referee to toot his whistle as the prop is penalised to have collapsed the scrum. Ireland, after having to stem wave after wave of white-shirted attacks, can now boot the ball to touch and breathe a little easier.
Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 live
“England have given Ireland hardly any free passes out apart from the one penalty. The kick pressure has been a lot better and that is why Ireland have been penned in.”
England lacking the killer instinct at the moment. Jonathan Joseph attempts a mis-pass to Anthony Watson... but the winger must pick up a bouncing ball and England's good work is ruined as the visitors are awarded a scrum for knock-on.
Matt Dawson
2003 World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 live
“Lots of huffing and puffing from England but stout defence from Ireland. England have had numerous opportunities whether it be with an overlap or whatever but the little bit of indecision is costing them.”
England recycling possession... huffing and puffing towards the line... five phases, six phases... James Haskell picks up and drives forward, reaches out to the tryline but Rory Best's defence is tough as teak. Admirable defending from the men in green.
#bbcsixnations
Image source, Rex FeaturesDave Wood: New coach, same old discipline problems for England.
mtsherlock: The Celtic brothers don't look like they are doing Wales any favours.
Adrian Lydiard: Nightshift on a construction site in Hong Kong, should have been my night off. Hoping England keep their heads together.
Matt Dawson
2003 World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 live
“The experienced Ireland boys need to think about their strategy. Make touch with your kick, get the line-out and get your exit strategy right.”
Image source, Getty ImagesWhat's this? Nigel Owens informs Romain Poite that Ireland had knocked-on before England so the hosts will have put-in at the scrum in front of the posts. Promising. Very promising.
Denis Hickie
Former Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live
Image source, Rex Features“Ireland failed to make the right decisions under pressure but England failed to capitalise. Ireland cannot carry on like this though.”
Adventure from Ireland, attempting to run out from inside their own half after a steady scrum and it soon proves to be a foolish decision as Stuart McCloskey loses the ball. England steal possession... Jack Nowell steps on the accelerator... Eddie Jones' men are unable to maintain the momentum, however, as Billy Vunipola spills the ball in contact.