Ireland lose fourth consecutive pre-world cup encounter as England wins 20 – 9: Rugby News
Ireland's poor run before the prugby world cup warm up matches continued as England handed over yet another defeat to the Irish squad in their Saturday, August 27 encounter at Lansdowne Road, Dublin. England were simply impressive with their efforts as they were able to ride home with an 11 point victory over Ireland with the final scorecard reading 20 – 9 at the end of full time.
England was in control of the match from the start of the game and once they saw off Ireland’s initial resistance, England remained in control the rest of the match.
The visitors were first to register their points on the scorecard, courtesy of their outside centre Manu Tuilagi’s fourth minute try. England’s veteran international fly half Jonny Wilkinson, who made his first start since March 2010 in the English starting XV, followed with his conversion to take the scorecard reading 7 – 0.
Ireland managed to get their act together and built up some momentum to earn a penalty in the ninth minute of the game. Irish fly half Ronan O’Gara successfully kicked the penalty to register home side’s first points on the board.
In the following passage of the play, both team tried their best to retain the ball possession and control the territory. However, both sides failed to do so, as both fly halves traded penalties.
Wilkinson was first to score to extend the visitors lead to seven points, with his 13th minute penalty. Minutes late, O’Gara successfully kicked his second penalty of the game to reduce the lead to just four points.
Wilkinson kicked his third penalty of the game in the 26th minute to take the scorecard reading 13 – 6, in favour of the England. England was in possession of territory when a certain unforced error has earned Ireland a penalty.
O’Gara successfully slotted the penalty to take the scorecard reading 13 – 9. Ireland left the field at the end of the first half, by trailing in the match by four points.
More importantly, they lost two of their first choice players of their back row forwards’ pack, during the first forty minutes of the game. They lost the flanker David Wallace in the 21st minute, while lost Jamie Heaslip in the 34th minute of the game.
England started the second half strongly as they sent their substitute winger Delon Armitage to score their second try of the match in the 45th minute. Wilkinson followed with his conversion to take the visitors lead to 11 points.
In the remaining period, Ireland tried their best to reduce the lead. However, England was simply exceptional with their ball handling and was extremely cool with their defence.
Both teams left the field with scorecard reading 20 – 9 at the end of the second-half. Saturday’s defeat was Ireland’s fourth consecutive loss. Earlier they lost to Scotland, which was followed by their away and home defeat against the France.
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