[ad_1]
Ian Walton / AP
England’s two-shot scorer Jonny May faces Irishman Keith Earls during the Fall Nations Cup international rugby union match at Twickenham. England won 18-7.
England gave Ireland another complete hideout to an 18-7 tune at Twickenham on Saturday (Sunday New Zealand time) and took over their group in the Fall Nations Cup.
Winger Jonny May scored two tries in the first half and Owen Farrell scored three of four shots on goal to give England a deserved victory 12-0 at halftime and 18-0 at the end. They threatened to blank Ireland for the first time in 30 years, but Billy Burns conjured a try for Irish substitute Jacob Stockdale with six minutes to go and converted.
They were the first results England had conceded in more than three hours of rugby in their last three matches, including Italy and Georgia.
As good as May’s attempts were, England’s defense was stiflingly brilliant. The white jerseys were quick from the line and physical, holding up the Irish ball carriers so the visitors couldn’t clear a single ruck in three seconds.
Ian Walton / AP
Irishman James Ryan is approached by Englishman Billy Vunipola.
READ MORE:
* Wayne Pivac is confident that makeshift Wales can end their six-game losing streak
* The All Blacks fall to number 3 in the world rankings
* ‘Quite proud’: New Zealander James Lowe scores a try on his Irish debut
* Why England Should Watch Out For Ireland’s New Kid James Lowe’s ‘X Factor’
England didn’t miss their first 90 tackles and ended up making an incredible 246, missing just nine.
By contrast, Ireland missed 11 tackles, needing to make just 73.
Ireland had a long time at England 22, but invariably a sustained attack slowed down and they were eventually blocked by a stolen ball. England won seven turnovers.
Add in the tackles that save the attempts of May and Henry Slade, and the beleaguered Irishman suffered a fourth straight loss to England, which looks set to qualify for the final in two weeks.
Ian Walton / AP
Irishman Hugo Keenan is stopped short by England’s man of the match, Maro Itoje.
England coach Eddie Jones was satisfied with the victory, but disappointed that he did not complete a clean sheet.
“We dominated the game, we put ourselves in a good position to go ahead and dominate. We didn’t, but there’s a lot more to us, which is nice,” Jones said. BBC 5 Live Sports Extra.
“The defense was pretty good, but we are disappointed with the try at the end. We would have liked to have a clean sheet, as they say in football, but we are improving. I particularly liked the ferocity of our ruck defense today.” . “
Jones has praised May’s clinical finishing skills after the wing ran in a sensational attempt when Ireland fell 18-7 in the Fall Nations Cup at Twickenham.
May ended his five-test scoring drought in spectacular fashion when two touchdowns in the first half took him to second place on Red Rose’s all-time list alongside World Cup winners Ben Cohen and Will Greenwood with 31. .
It just leaves Rory Underwood out front and even the England great would have been beaming with pride in May’s second, an impressive solo effort that started within his own 22 and combined an elusive run, speed and vision.
When asked where May ranks among the wings he has trained, Jones said: “Jonny is up there when you consider he’s 30 years old and still improving every aspect of his game.
“He’s a very dedicated coach and he’s obsessed with getting better. He’s a great role model for all the players on the teams.
“When you consider the player he was … I remember seeing him at the 2015 World Cup and at one point he was going to finish in Row K. Now he’s a great finisher.”
Ireland’s head coach Andy Farrell admits his team is currently lagging behind “fabulous” England, but urged his players to keep the faith during a transitional period.
Take a look
ENGLAND 18 (Jonny May 2 tries; Owen Farrell 2 pen, with) IRELAND 7 (Attempt by Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns scam). HT: 12-0.
