Irish, English start season with victory
Source: Agencies |
February 8, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
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IRELAND and England both opened the Six Nations with unconvincing victories on Saturday.
Defending champion Ireland showed only flashes of its best in a 29-11 win over Italy at Corke Park, while England took advantage of Wales' indiscipline and survived a late scare before winning 30-17 at Twickenham.
Ireland failed to add tries to first-half efforts by Jamie Heaslip and Tomas O'Leary, and even handed Italy its only touchdown of the game with an uncharacteristic error by Ireland fullback Rob Kearney. But Ireland also started slowly last season before winning its first grand slam since 1948 and shares the early lead with an England side that marked the 100th anniversary of international rugby at Twickenham with three tries.
It was only with Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones off the field for a cynical trip on Dylan Hartley that England overcame a scrappy opening with two tries in less than 10 minutes either side of halftime.
James Haskell charged through a gap on the line for the first and Danny Care weaved through for the second. Adam Jones and James Hook brought a full-strength Wales side back to within three points of the home side before Haskell touched down again to spark raucous celebrations from a home crowd starved of tries after just one in three November matches.
England still has plenty of work to do to avoid embarrassment in what could be a challenging match at Italy this weekend.
Despite his try, Care made two big mistakes that could have cost points and England again gave away a string of needless penalties at the breakdown.
"There's every chance there we could have folded and lost the game," England team manager Martin Johnson said. "So there's lots and lots to improve. There's no one getting carried away with that."
Wales coach Warren Gatland said he may drop Alun-Wyn Jones for indiscipline "It was stupid what he did," Gatland said. "It cost us the game."
Ireland has to contend with problems at flyhalf as well as working on improving ahead of a match with favorite France.
Ronan O'Gara kicked 16 points but spent the last quarter on the bench with his thigh strapped. Replacement Paddy Wallace kicked Ireland's final three points and, with Jonathan Sexton also out injured, may stay in the side at Stade de France.
O'Gara became the first ever player to score 500 championship points before Heaslip touched down following a slick move involving Andrew Trimble, Paul O'Connell and Kearney.
Former Australia rugby league international Craig Gower responded with the first of his two penalties but Gonzalo Garcia was yellow carded for a spear tackle on Brian O'Driscoll and O'Leary made use of the extra space to touch down.
Defending champion Ireland showed only flashes of its best in a 29-11 win over Italy at Corke Park, while England took advantage of Wales' indiscipline and survived a late scare before winning 30-17 at Twickenham.
Ireland failed to add tries to first-half efforts by Jamie Heaslip and Tomas O'Leary, and even handed Italy its only touchdown of the game with an uncharacteristic error by Ireland fullback Rob Kearney. But Ireland also started slowly last season before winning its first grand slam since 1948 and shares the early lead with an England side that marked the 100th anniversary of international rugby at Twickenham with three tries.
It was only with Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones off the field for a cynical trip on Dylan Hartley that England overcame a scrappy opening with two tries in less than 10 minutes either side of halftime.
James Haskell charged through a gap on the line for the first and Danny Care weaved through for the second. Adam Jones and James Hook brought a full-strength Wales side back to within three points of the home side before Haskell touched down again to spark raucous celebrations from a home crowd starved of tries after just one in three November matches.
England still has plenty of work to do to avoid embarrassment in what could be a challenging match at Italy this weekend.
Despite his try, Care made two big mistakes that could have cost points and England again gave away a string of needless penalties at the breakdown.
"There's every chance there we could have folded and lost the game," England team manager Martin Johnson said. "So there's lots and lots to improve. There's no one getting carried away with that."
Wales coach Warren Gatland said he may drop Alun-Wyn Jones for indiscipline "It was stupid what he did," Gatland said. "It cost us the game."
Ireland has to contend with problems at flyhalf as well as working on improving ahead of a match with favorite France.
Ronan O'Gara kicked 16 points but spent the last quarter on the bench with his thigh strapped. Replacement Paddy Wallace kicked Ireland's final three points and, with Jonathan Sexton also out injured, may stay in the side at Stade de France.
O'Gara became the first ever player to score 500 championship points before Heaslip touched down following a slick move involving Andrew Trimble, Paul O'Connell and Kearney.
Former Australia rugby league international Craig Gower responded with the first of his two penalties but Gonzalo Garcia was yellow carded for a spear tackle on Brian O'Driscoll and O'Leary made use of the extra space to touch down.
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