Dan Sheehan scores two tries as Andy Farrell’s side finally shake off 14-man England in nervy display
It also definitely eased Ireland’s task, but they held their nerve and their belief. Their lineout maul defence, and defence generally, was smart until a late consolation try and they were equally smart in the variety of their attacks off their own lineout, particularly in Jamison Gibson-Park exploiting the blindside.Three of their tries came from the hookers, with two from the explosive Dan Sheehan.
Ironically, it then needed a rendition of Swing Low to bring the Irish crowd alive, as usual, and the threat of England’s first real attacking foray to galvanise the home team after Tuilagi was launched menacingly up the middle. Ireland’s big defensive set was roared on before Keenan tackled Anthony Watson and Lowe dumped Tuilagi over the touchline.
In first-half added time, Ireland found some fluidity to their attack until Hansen’s attempted offload for Keenan went to ground. As Keenan stooped to pick up the ball, Steward turned sidewards, jumped slightly and caught Keenan on the head with his upper arm. On the resumption, England looked to cover the backfield with Anthony Watson or Henry Arundell with help from Farrell or Jack van Poortvliet. Looked for a scrap, they took prolonged injury timeouts and just hoofed the ball high into the air.
Sexton then perfectly placed a steepling crosskick to find grass and Hansen hounded Watson over the line to earn a five-metre scrum. Aki and Conan trucked it up in turn before Henshaw scored off Aki’s pass when Gibson-Park reloaded to the blindside.
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