Plenty of admirers from the rest of the Six Nations for this one as well...

A selection of the first half's highlights. What drama awaits in the second?

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

That was not so clever from Owen Farrell.

The idea was right. There was no-one at home as he attempted to clear up at the back of a line-out, but his kick flies out on the full.

Cian Murtagh
BBC Sport NI at Aviva Stadium

England’s replacements spent most of the half-time break going through some warm-ups out on the pitch.

Eddie Jones is going to need a lot from his bench before this game is safe and they’ll be ready to go from early on.

As expected, Ireland have replaced Keith Earls at the break too. He was limping badly for most of the first half so Jordan Larmour will have a chance to show his footwork.

Ireland are coming up short-changed from the kick exchanges. We didn't expect that.

Conor Murray's flat clearing kick is run back at Ireland with Billy Vunipola finding a little route through traffic after a neat offload from Kyle Sinckler.

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 live

Discipline is big and England have been lacking it. They gave away sloppy penalties in the first half.

The focus at half-time had to be on the positives though. On the way England defended and how they kicked well with the ball. All round, England should have had a better half-time, but the Irish boys are made of stern stuff.

We are back under way.

Ireland have made a change. The electric feet of Jordan Larmour are on in place of Keith Earls.

Cian Murtagh
BBC Sport NI at Aviva Stadium

That was a curious end to the half as the crowd cheered with relief when Mako Vunipola’s try was ruled out but Farrell’s penalty has put daylight between the two teams at the break.

England fully deserving of their lead too. They’ve been much more clinical with the chances that have come their way and their speed off the line in defence has been ferocious.

England stayed out on the field in a huddle with Owen Farrell holding court in the middle, no doubt calling on his team-mates to keep up their intensity for the second half.

There is a lot of heavy lifting being down by the two teams' numbers eights.

Billy Vunipola leads England's carry count with nine. CJ Stander is Ireland's busiest man with 10.

Simon Gleave
Head of sports analysis, Gracenote

Ireland have not conceded this many first half points in a Six Nations match in Dublin for 13 years, since going in 18-9 down against France in 2005.

Jacob Stockdale has looked like Ireland's most potent threat.

The wing has racked up 63m with ball in hand. Maybe he is a little too quick for his own team's good though.

He has been turned over twice.

Image source, Getty Images

Matthew Thorne: What a first half, my heart is pounding. This is what test match rugby; Six Nations rugby is all about. Credit to every man out there so far! Come on England, bring it home!

Robert Neave: England are doing all of the simple things very well and not giving away an inch on the gain line. Impressive stuff!

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 live

Don't think that Ireland's heads will be down in the changing rooms. It's a huge 40 minutes coming up for Eddie Jones' men.

Denis Hickie
Former Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Crucial from an Ireland perspective is that it's just a one-score game. That leaves a chink of light for Ireland. They won't be happy with lots of aspects of their performance but they can't quibble with the fact that they've been met with a resolute defence.

Ireland head down the tunnel. Owen Farrell keeps his men on the pitch for a quick players-only debrief.

By the way, Kyle Sinckler was picked up on the ref's mic telling Jerome Garces how exciting he was finding the match.

Sounds like he is having a lovely afternoon.

Image source, Getty Images

The kick is clean, the ball back-flipping between the uprights.

England have a healthy half-time lead and the Aviva crowd sound a little deflated.

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 live

I think Jerome Garces is right. Mako Vunipola has lunged for the line then gone to his knees to give himself the extra push rather than reaching out his arm. Good call.

Jerome Garces says that Mako Vunipola was on the ground and got some leverage off the turf to get over the line.

The silver lining for England is that we are coming back for a penalty against Ireland.

Owen Farrell to kick for a seven-point lead at the break...