Ireland on Saturday came from behind as they launched their bid for an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title with a hard-fought 27-22 win over England in Dublin, while a hat-trick of tries by Huw Jones inspired Scotland to a 31-19 victory over Italy in Edinburgh.
The reigning champions trailed 10-5 at halftime at Lansdowne Road, but tries from Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne and Dan Sheehan put a seasoned Ireland side into a seemingly commanding 27-10 lead before Tom Curry and Tommy Freeman went over for England late in the game.
The bonus-point win was an ideal way for Ireland to mark interim coach Simon Easterby’s first game in charge, with Andy Farrell now seconded to the British and Irish Lions.
Photo: Reuters
Defeat added to the pressure on England boss Steve Borthwick following a poor run of results last year.
“It was a little patchy to begin with but we produced some nice stuff in the end,” Ireland scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, the player of the match, told ITV. “We improved our accuracy and things stuck better in the second half.”
Defeat meant England — who have not finished higher than third since they last won the Six Nations in 2020 — lost in their first Test under new captain Maro Itoje.
Photo: Reuters
“I thought the first half was fantastic and we did everything we wanted to do,” Itoje said. “The second half we lost the territory a little bit and we struggled to get out.”
England lost seven out of 12 Tests last year, but were the only side to beat Ireland in the 2024 Six Nations.
Ireland endured a stuttering opening 40 minutes, with 21-year-old fly-half Sam Prendergast struggling to impose himself as England led 10-5 at halftime after a try by debutant wing Cadan Murley.
However, an Ireland team full of seasoned campaigners hit back to score 22 unanswered points to give the hosts a four-try, bonus-point win.
“It is definitely satisfying” getting the win, Ireland captain Caelan Doris told reporters. “It’s huge in this competition, you can’t win it in the first round, but you can lose it or dampen it essentially.”
Meanwhile, at Murrayfield Stadium, two of Jones’s tries in the second-half secured the hosts victory — with a bonus point to boot — after Italy had battled back from 14-0 down to level at 19-19.
The Scots are at home to two-time defending champions Ireland next weekend, while Italy host a Wales side nursing their wounds after a 43-0 thrashing by France.
“I’m pretty happy,” Jones said. “It’s not every day you manage to get on the end of three so thanks to the boys for setting me up. I don’t want to say that our confidence is sky high, we’re happy with the win today, but our focus is on taking it week by week.”
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