Simon Lewis analyses the key moments at Twickenham as Ireland failed to register a first win of this Six Nations tournament.
Key moment: A last-ditch covering tackle by Jack Nowell on Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw in the 63rd snuffed out Ireland's hopes of mounting a comeback from 21-10 down. They would have more opportunities to score but a try then could have swung the game back in Ireland's flavour with time on their side. As it was they were battling the clock as well as England.
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[/raw]@Tissot_Sport #TopMoment Jack Nowell's(ENG)sensational&critical 65th min try-saving tackle on Robbie Henshaw(IRE) pic.twitter.com/bSPTLONKKw
— DNA (@CaptureDNA) February 27, 2016
Talking point: Ireland continue to struggle with their attacking play, their efforts only garnering two tries in three games so far in this championship. Yet after a sterile first half at least they created several openings only to be let down by an inability to get the ball down over the try line. Debutant Josh van der Flier and Robbie Henshaw both got over the line but failed to ground although van der Flier can feel hard done by after a harsh TMO decision ruled against him. Ireland are getting there but they need to sort it quickly.
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Video from RBS 6 Nations./i>
Key man: Billy Vunipola was immense in England's No.8 jersey, a human wrecking ball almost single-handedly sending Ireland's missed tackle tally into double figures before half time. Vunipola's strong carrying repeatedly punched holes in the Irish defence and as helped his side wear down the visitors until they inevitably cracked midway through the second half. A truly destructive performance.
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[/raw]Metres made in the first half:
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) February 27, 2016
Billy Vunipola - 75
Ireland - 79#6Nations
🏉📻 https://t.co/NI1sjtGRxI pic.twitter.com/wfzWP5rcxL
Ref watch: After Jaco Peyper's refereeing horror show in Paris two weeks ago, Ireland had a more familiar official in charge in Romain Poite and the French official produced a mixed bag as far as the visitors were concerned.
He rightly yellow carded both James Haskell, for a late and high hit on Conor Murray and Danny Care for a “cynical infringement” not rolling away at a ruck as Ireland threatened the English line.
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[/raw]Mike Brown you absolute scumbag #ENGvIRE https://t.co/8rmK7DhswZ
— Mary Mc Intyre (@Mc1988) February 27, 2016
There should have been another card, for Mike Brown, after he repeatedly tried to kick the ball out of Conor Murray's hands but connected with the Irish scrum-half's head. Ireland were also denied by the TMO when Josh van der Flier looked to have scored.
Penalties conceded: England 12 Ireland 10
Injuries: Conor Murray left the field with blood streaming from an eye wound after taking numerous kicks to the head from Mike Brown at a ruck. The cut needed stitching but there did not appear any further injury concerns for Ireland, which makes a pleasant change.
Next up: The championship goes into another one-week hiatus before resuming on March 12 when Ireland host Italy at Aviva Stadium. England are up later that day when they seek to avenge their World Cup pool loss at home to Wales last October as Warren Gatland's team return to Twickenham for what could be a championship decider.
