Ireland v England: Winners and losers as rookies ‘fail to impress’ while Currys ‘repay’ Steve Borthwick’s faith and James Lowe ‘leaps’ into Lions frame

Jared Wright
Ireland fly-half Sam Prendergast and an insert of England back-rower Ben Curry.

Our winners and losers as Ireland claimed a 27-22 victory over England.

Following Ireland’s 27-22 victory over England in the Six Nations, we pick out our winners and losers from the match in Dublin.

Winners

Ben Curry

One of the selection calls that certainly paid off for Steve Borthwick. Ben Curry got a short cameo off the bench against the All Blacks last November but was not seen again during the Autumn Nations Series. However, he returned to Sale Sharks and tore up trees to earn his recall for the Six Nations.

Today, he repaid Borthwick’s faith in him as he, his brother and Ben Earl made what looked like a very unbalanced back-row work against the second-highest-ranked team in world rugby.

Ben topped the tackle count for England and was a menace at the breakdown in what was the kind of performance that should earn him more minutes in the Championship.

James Lowe

However, despite the best efforts of the England back-row or team in general, they were not good enough to keep the brilliant James Lowe quiet.

Lowe took a massive leap forward in staking his claim not just on the plane to Australia in June but as a starter for the side. He played a huge role in three tries for Ireland in a match where their attack struggled against a well-drilled England defence.

Add in his canon of a boot and Lowe is perfectly suited for any kind of gameplan Andy Farrell hopes to employ with the Lions and while we did see standout performances from the likes of Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe today, Lowe was head and shoulders above the competition.

Ireland’s superb second half sees England shredded as Simon Easterby’s short reign begins with opening Six Nations win

Jamison Gibson-Park

Staying on the topic of the Lions and fellow New Zealand-born Ireland star, Jamison Gibson-Park, looked the nailed-on scrum-half after getting the better of Alex Mitchell today – one of the strongest contenders for the role.

While Mitchell kicked well on the whole, the England attack was just not good enough to cause Ireland issues while he also fell off a few tackles that he really should have made.

As for Gibson-Park, he stepped up when it mattered and along with Lowe, was the catalyst for change as Ireland ran away with the victory.

Simon Easterby

There was always going to be a bit of a transition period as Simon Easterby took over and Farrell took a backseat but despite being up against a fired-up England team, the interim boss came away with the win.

Notably, he timed his replacements rather well, which is a tricky business at the highest level.

Ollie Lawrence

There has been much debate around England’s midfield set-up but today, they rose to the occasion with Henry Slade having a superb first half but did fall off as the game went on.

But as for Ollie Lawrence, he produced arguably his best-ever game in an England shirt as he delivered on all his promise. He was brutally effective on defence and a massive threat with ball in hand. It’s also worth remembering who he was going toe-to-toe with, Garry Ringrose, who many believe deserves to be the starting Lions 13 in Australia.

Lawrence is not a name that comes up too often in the Lions debate but today he threw it into the hat.

Dan Sheehan

A welcome return to international rugby for Dan Sheehan as he backed up his brace for Leinster a week ago with another try today against England.

Sheehan provided just the kind of punch and energy off the bench that England lacked and looks right back at home in the green jersey.

England player ratings: ‘Outstanding’ back becomes ‘Test match animal’ but debutant a ‘rabbit in the headlights’ in frustrating Six Nations loss

Middle ground

Steve Borthwick

England certainly come out of this match with a lot more credit than they went into it but there are still some major concerns.

Borthwick’s charges came with a clear tactical gameplan and approach and executed marvellously for much of the match but the wheels came off as the bench came on.

The England boss has been rather conservative since taking over from Eddie Jones in 2023 but this week, he boldly stacked his back-three with what was essentially three openside flankers and on the whole, the tactic paid off with the Curry twins and Earl all having outstanding matches.

The Aviva Stadium is statistically one of the most difficult venues to visit in Test rugby right now but England rose to the challenge and even took a 10-5 lead into half-time.

But it was after that where the issue lies as Ireland pulled away in the second half. While England were tactically, physically and emotionally up for the challenge and can count themselves rather unfortunate with some of the decisions that went against them, the timing of some replacements just did not make sense.

Borthwick was absolutely under pressure going into the Six Nations and that hasn’t evaporated as the history books won’t show how well England played but just that they lost. The fact that his charges battled all the way to the final whistle to claim a losing bonus-point shows that they are still very much backing him.

Losers

Sam Prendergast

A few flashes of brilliance in an otherwise underwhelming performance from the young fly-half. The demands on a modern-day 10 are enormous and a rising star like Sam Prendergast is bound to have one of these days somewhere along the line – it’s part of the learning curve.

Far too many passes went to the floor or were too unkind on the recipients while he also struggled to find his range off the tee. England also threw some big men his way and while he did manage to defend admirably, it is an area he can work on.

He may have done enough for Easterby to give him another crack next weekend against Scotland but Jack Crowley is still breathing down his neck.

Ireland player ratings: ‘Outrageous’ James Lowe breaks the game open as Sam Prendergast ‘fails’ to put 10 debate to bed in unconvincing win over England

Ryan Baird

Much like his Leinster teammate, Ryan Baird just did not take full advantage of his opportunity in the starting XV. He also had moments of excellence but those were largely overshadowed by the fact that England won the battle up front when he was on the park and he concede a few frankly mindless penalties.

Cadan Murley

A stunning start to international rugby as Cadan Murley latched onto a clever kick from Slade to kick start his Test career in style. His first cap was a long time coming after starring for Harlequins for several seasons but after that try, things went rather pear-shaped.

He failed to really control the backfield with Ireland’s long kicking game putting him under immense pressure that he just could not handle.

He did come with some sharp moments in the latter stages as he played his part in Curry’s late try and made an excellent tackle but on the whole his errors were too costly.

Ellis Genge

Ellis Genge looked rather miffed on a number of occasions particularly at scrum-time as he was not rewarded for the pressure he put Finlay Bealham under.

It was a tough watch for the English loosehead who actually had a fine outing but just had no luck and got no reward for his efforts.

England scrum-halves

As mentioned above, Mitchell’s hope of being the starting Lions nine took a blow today while Harry Randall was largely ineffective off the bench.

Mitchell is clearly the starting scrum-half for England but perhaps this game was one too soon after his recent injury setback.

As for Randall, he failed to replicate his Bristol form in the England jersey once again and will have the likes of Ben Spencer breathing down his neck in training this week.

READ MORE:?Ireland v England, AS IT HAPPENED: Hosts fight back to defeat Steve Borthwick’s men

universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
soxtry.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
maw-pr.com
zaaksen.com
ypxsptbfd7.com
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
onlinenewsofindia.com
worldgraphic-team.com
bnsrz.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
webmanicura.com
osostore.com
softsmob.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
odskc.com
inzziln.info
leaiiln.info
cq-oa.com
dqtianshun.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
bartoysdirect.com
taquerialoscompadresdc.com
aaoodln.info
amcckln.info
drvrnln.info
dwabmln.info
fcsjoln.info
hlonxln.info
kcmeiln.info
kplrrln.info
fatcatoons.com
91guoys.com
signupforfreehosting.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
topsedu.xyz
xmxm7.com
x332.xyz
sportstrainingblog.com
autopartspares.com
readguy.net
soniasegreto.com
bobbygdavis.com
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
qazwsxedcokmijn.com
parabis.net
terriesandelin.com
luxuryhomme.com
studyexpanse.com
ronoom.com
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
snn01.com
hope-kelley.com
bancodeprofissionais.com
zjccp99.com
liturgycreator.com
weedsmj.com
majorelenco.com
colcollect.com
androidnews-jp.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
nova-click.com
abeautifulcrazylife.com
diggmobile.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
sizam-design.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
bamthemes.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com
avgo.top