Ireland click in second half as sorry England wilt again

With a new hand at the helm, the good ship Ireland is sailing successfully again.

- HARRY LATHAM-COYLE

Off in search of treasure, Simon Easterby’s side embarked with victory over England; there is plenty that must be navigated before the twice defending champions begin to truly contemplate an unprecedented third consecutive Six Nations crown, but this was an excellent start.

England had rocked their winning vessel in the first half with defensive zeal but there felt little doubt that an Ireland side used to rough seas would eventually emerge on top. Away they accelerated at a rate of knots to start the Easterby era with a victory made narrow by two late English tries but decided long before.

Watching on from the stands as he prepares for British and Irish Lions business, Andy Farrell’s loyalties might have been rather more split than usual, but the temporarily unavailable Ireland boss would have been quietly pleased. Entrusting his first mate with the care of a winning squad, this looked very much like the Ireland of the last couple of years – keeping cool and calm even in England’s brighter patches to set off in the right direction in their hunt for history.