In a game where the home side scored 5 tries to one for the visitors, they dominated throughout the field before finally showing that domination on the scoreboard.

Centurion Keith Earls was among the try scorers to the delight of the home fans, while England’s Billy Vunipola, who was initially yellow-carded for a high tackle on Andrew Porter, saw a review of the tackle upgrade his card to red.

First Half

Though Ireland had a strong starting team, the usual high level of accuracy was missing in the opening half as the home side conceded 6 penalties.

The visitors opened the scoring through George Ford when he kicked a Tadhg Beirne conceded penalty. Kicking from slightly left of the posts, the Sale Sharks’ man slotted over just before the clock hit 5 minutes.

Try for Bundee

An attacking move from Ireland gave winger James Lowe possession with the New Zealand-born player gaining metres. He was strongly supported by Peter O’Mahony who found a lot of space in the centre of the English defence. The Corkman eventually off-loaded to the onrushing Bundee Aki, with the centre having space to comfortably make the try-scoring line. A Ross Byrne conversion from in front of the posts, put Ireland into a 7-3 lead approaching 10 minutes on the clock.

It’s all too easy as Ireland break through the England line with ease and Bundee Aki has a clear run. pic.twitter.com/YQHOo4fEGa

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 19, 2023

Mack Hansen failing to roll away gave England an opportunity to close the gap on the scoreboard on 25 minutes, but George Ford surprisingly struck it to the right and wide of the far post.

In spite of some unforced errors from Andy Farrell’s side during the opening half, Ireland made some good decisions on the ball and ran some clever lines in the dying minutes of that opening period.

Hansen finds Ringrose

With the energetic Mack Hansen, the Player of the Match, in possession of the ball on the far side of the pitch, he saw centre Garry Ringrose on the opposite end. A long, well-directed accurate kick from the Connacht winger found Ringrose who had enough to cross for Ireland’s second try of the half.

Byrne attempted the conversion from 40m out, and though he had the distance, he failed with accuracy and send the ball left of the far post and wide.

Great vision from Mack Hansen and Garry Ringrose touches down to give Ireland a 12-3 half-time advantage. Live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. pic.twitter.com/jmfbMSBJMD

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 19, 2023

With the teams heading to the dressing rooms for the half-time team talk, Ireland lead 12-3.

Second Half

James Lowe scored his 10th international try 15 minutes into the second half. With England down for 14 men following a yellow card for Billy Vunipola for a dangerous high tackle on Andrew Porter, England were stretched by the home side, and Lowe found himself in splendid isolation out on the wing. A fast pass to the winger saw him run in for his side’s third try of the game.

Ireland quickly make the most of their numerical advantage as James Lowe is left with an acre of space to walk in and touch down. Live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. pic.twitter.com/HkVQUbKPsX

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 19, 2023

Ross Byrne’s conversion attempt came back off the left post, leaving the Irish side with a 17-3 advantage.

It was then announced that the review panel had upgraded Billy Vunipola’s yellow card to red, meaning the Saracens’ man’s day was over.

The positive use of width and space brought more success for Ireland when claiming their fourth try of the evening. The industrious Mack Hansen touched down for his 7th international try, giving the scoreboard a more respectable look, and showing more accurately the difference between the two sides. Ross Byrne’s difficult day at kicking for the posts continued as he missed another attempt, leaving Ireland 22-3 ahead.

100th cap for Keith Earls

The loudest cheer of the day seemed to come on 60 minutes when Limerick’s Keith Earls became the 9th Irish player to win 100 International caps.

Here comes the centurion. Keith Earls receives a thunderous ovation as he replaces James Lowe to make his 100th appearance for Ireland. pic.twitter.com/x0NrFhhJhO

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 19, 2023

The loudness of that roar was bettered in the 73rd minute, however, when Earls dived into the corner to score the 36th international try of his career. His Munster comrade Jack Crowley converted from close to the touchline, giving Ireland a 29-10 victory.

What a moment! What a finish!

Keith Earls’ day just gets better as he goes over in the corner to blow the roof off the Aviva Stadium. pic.twitter.com/owLTS6018i

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 19, 2023

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Ringrose has amassed 37 caps for Ireland since making his debut against Canada in 2016 and recently started all three Autumn Nations Series games last month.

Ringrose has won a Grand Slam with Ireland and was on their Rugby World Cup squad for the ill-fated 2019 campaign.

The 26-year-old is close to becoming a centurion with Leinster, sitting ten appearances away from such an honour currently.

He has won four Pro14 titles with the provincial outfit, as well as a Champions Cup in 2018.

IRFU High Performance Director, David Nucifora commented: “Garry has had a tough road with injuries since the World Cup in Japan but he is a top international player who delivers big performances for Ireland and Leinster.

“He will be an influential figure at both national and provincial level over the coming years.”

Garry Ringrose commented: “Delighted to sign for another three years. It is an exciting time to be involved with Leinster and Ireland.

“Both squads have ambition to be competing for silverware every year and I’m motivated to do whatever I can to contribute”

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Ulster’s James Hume filled his spot in the international squad this summer as Ringrose began his recovery.

The 26-year-old has had an IKD in Santry recently to test the strength of his shoulder and, although he feels that it went well, the Leinster man is still disappointed that injury derailed his previous season.

“It was unlucky, I guess, probably a couple of years worth of injuries squeezed into the one season, but that’s just kind of how it goes,” Ringrose conceded. “It’s the nature of the beast, unfortunately.

“It was frustrating. For each of them, they were all kind of broken bones really, which is just unlucky. I wasn’t left wondering was it something I could have done differently in preparation.

“You just kind of deal with it, you’ve 24 or 48 hours to get the head right and then kick on and reset the focus to rehab and get back. There were a few times last year, and hopefully, I don’t have to do it all this year once I get through this shoulder.”

The Irish international also spoke of the mental toll the injuries have had on him throughout the last year.

He appeared only ten times in the blue shirt throughout last season as he broke his jaw against Italy last October, which was the beginning of several injuries in several months.

Ringrose hurt his jaw once again in December but was suited up in green during the Six Nations.

However,his return did not last long as an ankle injury during the tournament saw him miss the rest of the season, with a shoulder problem being the icing on a very unwelcome cake.

“Certainly in the immediate, you’re in a bit of a hole, probably a bit angry at the situation, a bit upset by it but thankfully I’ve people close around me that are incredibly helpful and supportive, family and friends, and then the guys at Leinster, the medical team, they kind of helped me through that initial bit and then it’s reset, set new targets and kick on from there.”

Those targets included getting back training and with all the extra time on his hands, he was able to, with the help of physios, medics and coaches Kieran Hallett and Denis Leamy.

Ringrose is also expecting to be able to increase the amount of contact and hits he can take in training to further his rehab, and says that he has a few markers to hit that will give him a clear indication of when he will return to the pitch.

The centre currently sits on 86 appearances for the provincial outfit and spoke of his thoughts on potentially reaching 100 in this upcoming season, fitness pending.

“I haven’t thought about that at all but now that you’ve said it, it’s a pretty special milestone to reach.

“It will probably be towards the end of the season if it happens. That would be a pretty cool one to tick off.”

The United Rugby Championship begins on Friday, September 24 and games will be free-to-air on RTÉ and TG4.

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Speaking after the game, Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell was happy with the bonus-point win.

“We got out of it what we wanted to – the bonus-point win. It takes us into the final week and we’re still in the hunt.”

Though the concession of a late try was frustrating, overall Farrell said he thought “we defended so well. I thought we created out own energy. We had great energy, great line speed. We got some good turnovers on the back of it. We were a bit frustrated in the end, but I thought our defence was excellent today.”

Work ethic was good

The Englishman was impressed with the debutants and less experienced players’ performances, with Hugh Keenan, Will Connors and Dave Heffernan in particular shining.

“The work ethic is there for all to see. I’m delighted for all of the lads. They played exceptional all of them. I’m just gutted their parents could have been here to see the game. They’ve worked so hard taking them around the country. They deserved to be here, but anyway, it is what it is.”

Centre Garry Ringrose left the field during the game for a HIA after a knock to the jaw. Farrell explained however that he passed the HIA but looked to have fractured his jaw.

“It looks like he’s had some back luck. He had a bang to the jaw. It doesn’t look too great. It looks as though he could have some type of fracture. He looks like he could be out for 4, 5, 6 weeks.”

It was later confirmed that Ringrose had in fact sustained a broken jaw.

Paris next weekend

Looking ahead to next weekend, the Irish management team is well aware of the task facing Ireland. If they achieve a bonus point win in Paris, they could be crowned 2020 Guinness Six Nations Champions.

Farrell is aware of the difficulty of winning in Paris:

“Next week, it’s a tall order to go to Paris and win over there. We know that if we got a bonus point, we could win the Trophy. That’s a tall order, isn’t it? We’ve got to make sure we analyse this performance and assess where we’re at and try and get better next week.”

He knows well it’s one thing beating Italy in Dublin, but beating the French in Paris will require a much improved overall performance from his side.

“We’re going to have to be better in all aspects of our game,” Farrell admitted. “They’re a formidable side, especially over there in Paris. We need to be better across the board. A little more composure on the ball at times would help. We’re in the hunt though. We should be looking forward to it as well.”

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