- England 23-22 Ireland
- Marcus Smith strikes late to put Irish celebrations on ice
The Cheltenham festival does not start until Tuesday but already a big Irish favourite has been unexpectedly reeled in. If the Six Nations trophy is still almost certain to end up with green ribbons attached to it, Andy Farrell’s thoroughbreds have been dramatically denied the chance to become the first team to win back-to-back grand slams this century.
Because this was the day when England finally gave their supporters a glimpse of something truly uplifting. From start to finish this was as positive a display as they have produced in ages and, at 22-20 behind entering the closing seconds, they had one final surge left in them. With advantage being played and Ireland hanging on for dear life, the ball came back to Marcus Smith whose drop goal earned England their first win in this fixture in five attempts.
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