MATCH REPORT: ENGLAND V IRELAND

I went to the match at Twickenham, Eddie "Shoot From The Hip" Jones' first home game in charge, and they were the better team against a depleted, yet spirited Ireland. Conditions were dry, with only a slight breeze, but it was as cold as I can remember at Twickenham, maybe because of the wicked northerly, or because I was under dressed at the end of February. The weather may have contributed to the muted crowd, or maybe it was because England only managed to get the crowd on their feet on a few "Billy sponsored" occasions. The England no.8 is a wrecking ball, making 18 carries for 96m in total, and is very hard for Northern hemisphere teams to stop, but as one of England's few attacking threats, easy for Southern hemisphere teams to spot and defend against (especially as he gives very few offloads, and does get isolated a lot, making him prone to turnovers).

MOM Billy on the charge

Positives for England were the lineout (again) where Ireland struggled all day, the metronome kicking of Farrell, who punishes any offence in the opposition half, and the improving form of key players such as Cole, Hartley, Kruis, Nowell and Joseph. The new wonderkid "Itoje" also looked lively all day, and may keep out a returning Launchbury next game. Negatives were the lack of control exerted by Youngs and Ford at half back, the defensive system in midfield, which allowed Ireland to break the line several times, and ill discipline, which led to numerous penalties and two cards, which better teams would have punished. Haskell's late dangerous tackle on Murray was idiotic, as was Care's decision to impede quick ball late on. Brown should also have gone in the bin for a reckless kick at Murray on the floor - what is the point of protecting catcher in the air, if you are not going to do the same for the guy on the floor? He will be cited and banned for Wales game.

Just as England should have scored under the posts when Hartley was penalised for a double movement, Ireland should have scored late on, when van der Flier was held up, and Henshaw was brilliantly tackled by Nowell in the corner. England will be disappointed to have conceded two tries at home, but it should have been more, which would have meant a more even contest in the closing stages. As it was, Ireland switched off in a 10 minute spell in the second half, when persistent England pressure yielded two tries and decided the game. So, Jones has won 3/3 and is top of the Six Nations, and should be commended for instilling confidence in his players, but he should zip his mouth (his Sexton jibes were unnecessary, and obviously motivated the player), and remember that England's toughest contests against Wales and France are yet to come. Steve Hansen, the NZ coach was in the crowd, and looked suitably smug, knowing that England have a long way to go yet.