Battling forwards put England in pole position

DEFENDING champions England secured their first win in Ireland since 2017 built on a gritty display from the pack.

- By DAN ROBERTSHAW

Despite the visitors being reduced to 13 men for 10 minutes, Ireland were unable to convert a number of key chances due to a faltering attack and came away with just a penalty scored.

As well as 12 points from Ben Coen off the tee, some muscular work from England's forwards resulted in a penalty try deep in the second half which proved the crucial score.

Player of the match, England No.8 Kane James said: "It was a really tough game in tough conditions. The boys really dug deep to graft out that win. We faced some real adversity, with two cards but we stuck in there and got the win in the end."

England captain Tom Burrow added: "It's great to start with a win away from home, we're delighted. We know our discipline has to improve, and we let ourselves down in the first half. But being such a tight-knit group is what pulled us through in the end."

Ireland started the brighter, regathering the ball after kick-off and immediately breaking the line, with Billy Corrigan surging into the England 22 on a fantastic angle.

This early effort was repelled by some monstrous England defence, the forward pack flying off the line in their twos and threes to upend several on-rushing Ireland players.