Ireland 6 v 12 England 6N 2013 - Post Match Thoughts

England won for the first time in a decade in Dublin by digging deep, defending well and taking the points on offer when they were given. 

Ireland 6 v 12 England

RBS Six Nations 2013

Post Match Thoughts

All pictures Empics

A completely different match to last week against Scotland.   England ran in 4 tries last week but could only manage to progress with penalties in this but considering the weather conditions it was amazing that points were being scored at all.

England started really well and in such slippery weather conditions, I thought they handled the ball very well.  The match itself had my stomach churning, you felt that just one mistake or break and someone would be through.  The majority of the play was in the midfield and England's defence I felt was superb today.  Of course we had handling errors but not as many as the Irish, who spilled the ball on many occasions.

England's Mike Brown is tackled by Irelands Jamie Heaslip

We also had 'fisticuffs' at times and some very bad foul play form Cian Healy who seemed to have lost his head during this match.  Replays show Cian Healy appearing to stamp on Dan Cole's ankle.  I would not be surprised if he was not cited for this and he should have been off the pitch.   However, the partisan commentary of the BBC's pundit Keith Wood said "what did he expect if he was lying on the wrong side".   Sorry but NOT that in my opinion, it could have ended Cole's career or put him out for months.

All of the England players stepped up to the mark again ...... Haskell well what can you say!  This is what he had to say:-  I think my life probably flashed before my eyes,” Haskell said. “I thought if we lost the game I would have to run straight out of the stadium and get home.   “I was disappointed it was a yellow card. I didn’t intentionally kick it. I did everything I could do to get out of the way.   The ball was resting on my legs and it went that way. It was the third penalty in a row and someone was going to get it and unfortunately it was me.   The fact we won that period is credit to those on the field. It could have gone the other way, especially in Ireland against that quality of opposition but the boys dug really, really deep. I was just glad I got the opportunity to go back on. That victory was very big.”

England's Alex Goode takes on Irelands Keithe Earles

I thought Goode, Robshaw, Youngs, Farrell were all on their game today to be fair the whole team were.   It was a well deserved win in horrible conditions, a game that some thought England would not win being a young side.   England defended like demons and took their opportunities when they arose. I thought that Ben Youngs played so well today and his little chip to put the ball behind the Irish defence for Manu Tuilagi to run on to just behind the posts - I thought that was a brilliant bit of play.   England by far the better team on the day.

England's Tom and Ben Youngs celebrate victory over Ireland in the RBS 6 Nations match at the Aviva Stadium Dublin

My MOM was Ben Youngs on the right with his brother  and a close second Chris Robshaw.

Irelands Jonny Sexton is tackled by Englands Chris Robshaw and Owen Farrell

England celebrate after the RBS 6 Nations match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin.