Well, that was strange.

George Ford, under pressure from a fast-up Ireland defence, attempts a Cipriani-style flat cross-field grubber.

But Jonny May had not got the message and was haring up in pursuit of something a lot deeper.

Play comes back to halfway.

Engalnd with more prime field position, just outside the Ireland 22m as Courtney Lawes rules the line-out skies.

What can they do with this?

CJ Stander was just thumped back into the Springbok under-20s by an enormous Manu Tuilagi shoulder.

The England centre had lined that one up from so far back I think he made a diary entry for it last Wednesday.

Image source, Reuters

Jamie Heaslip
Former Ireland number eight on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Johnny Sexton will be frustrated with himself for that, but being the class player he is, he'll reset and go again next ball. England have looked very calm, Sexton needs to stay calm too for his team.

Oh my.

Mulligans anyone?

Johnny Sexton shanks his kick horribly off the tee, real weekend hacker stuff.

Gasps of astonishment, quickly followed by ironic jeers/cheers from the home crowd.

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland with the advantage as England halt the rolling maul illegally.

Johnny Sexton goes across field looking for Andrew Conway. Nothing coming from that free spin of the fruit machine.

Back for the penalty and this time Sexton calls for his tee...

Maro Itoje is accidentally offside, instinctively grabbing a loose ball that bounces forward off Jonny May in the air.

Will Ireland cut the gap with a pop at goal? Nope, they kick to the corner in search of a slice of try pie....

Kaylan Geekie: Sexton’s days must be numbered; he’d already be gone if Ireland had an able replacement.

Jamie Heaslip
Former Ireland number eight on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

That is not what Ireland wanted! The crowd are singing now, the momentum's there. Sexton gets an awful bounce but it's a great follow-up by the England players.

You make your own luck and that's what England did.

Image source, Getty Images

Jamie George with a little spurt down the touchline, but he is snared by Peter O'Mahony as the forwards get a taste of life in the backline.

Jordan Larmour claims a swirling up and under but Ireland are under the pump...

Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Noticeable that as soon as they're on the front foot, England's attacking shapes are pretty much what you'd expect. They only recently played one of their best games ever against New Zealand, so the structures are in place to play dynamic, free-flowing rugby. That's what Manu Tuilagi brings straight away.

England spill forward as a pass that is forced towards George Kruis in the closest of quarters. Never really on that...

A very promising opening for England though. Ireland clear up to their 22m from the set-piece.

Manu Tuilagi with a trademark blood-and-thunder charge. England up to within five!

The centre is giving Ireland flashbacks to the Aviva 2019 when he dominated midfield.

England winning the aerial battle so far.

Jonny May is the latest to claim a Ford skyscraper. A kick poked behind the Ireland defence and Conor Murray has to scamper to clear up the scraps.

England with the line-out just outside the green 22m.

James Woodwark: I'll be following online whilst at my 8 year old's disco party at the village hall, with 30 other children. Good thing I really love her!

Amy Walkers: The family is gathered.. shirts are on.. snacks are ready... beer is cold.. volume is UP!

England with a promising bit of field position as Elliot Daly gets up and after a George Ford up and under and claims cleanly.

But it is wasted as George Kruis opts for a grubber kick and it only finds a green shin.

Strange call from the second row.

Jamie Heaslip
Former Ireland number eight on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

I think England, if they're going to win, have to beat Ireland up, simple as that. Ireland are predictable - they are going to run hard at you, try to condense you, and then go to the edge, try to beat you round the corner.

George Ford stares down the Twickenham baize and drops out deep, long and central.

Gathered by Conor Murray who quickly finds the better suited CJ Stander to truck the ball up into contact.

Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckler both prefer to soak up the atmosphere rather than add to it as God Save the Queen is given the full Bianca Castafiore treatment by a lady in patriotic red in the background.

We are ready for the off.