IRELAND…42
ENGLAND…21
If the forthcoming production was in relation to association football, one would automatically assume it was an England team to whom reference was being made. Given that they have three of the members of the feline family as the crest on their jersey. Now read on…
But no, the wounded Lions in this case were the ones in the green jersey. The ones who, for the last decade and more, have been the most consistent performers in the world.
For province (club if you’re outside Ireland), country and that which rugby snobbery decrees to be the highest level of representation there is – the British And Irish Lions. A contrived lot of scour in my view, but I suppose we all take solace in delusion at some point.
Whatever about the latter part of the last paragraph, there’s no doubt this Irish team were dissected and derided above and beyond the realm of what was warranted on the back of one defeat against France. In Paris.
As good a French side as this writer has seen in around a decade. Such was the nature of the defeat, it was only natural confidence within the Irish camp may have been a bit battled. But not to the extent that their sporting obituary needed to be put into production.
With a somewhat stuttering victory over Italy, on the back of the French defeat, it’s quite possible Irish confidence was dented, but, the level to which they were criticised obviously stung within the camp.
Because their barnstorming destruction of a hitherto imperious looking England was quite possibly their most complete performance since defeating the All Blacks in Soldier Field in Chicago.
At the epicentre of the Irish volcano was Jamieson Gibson-Park.
The scrum half glistened in every facet of the game. Not only as his trademark sniping run clocked up our first try. His speed to the breakdown, crisp passing and inch perfect kicking game kept Ireland on the front foot throughout.
Of greater significance, though, was the diminutive No. 9’s tackling and defencive work in general.
I have never seen an Irish team effecting so many turnovers, and JGP was crucial in that along with the pack.
Now, one can only guess as to whether our opponents knew anything about Gaelic football, but, if they didn’t before today they’ll probably go and look it up now because the excellence under the high ball was truly awesome.
Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Dorris, Gibson-Park, Jack Crowley, Stuart McCloskey and, in particular, Tommy O’Brien and Jamie Osborne excelled in the air and, with the whole lot put together, Gibson-Park and the outstanding Robert Baloucoone all crossed the whitewash to leave Andy Farrell’s side 22-0 up as the tie hurtled towards half time.
The match referee then succumbed to a hamstring injury and his replacement gave Steve Borthwick’s team a plethora of penalties and binned Osborne. All of which allowed Fraser Dingwell put the locals on the board before the break.
Not only that, but the leaders would play the first nine minutes of the second half down a man.
Initially, I would have thought half time came at worst possible time for Ireland as the red rose would’ve all the momentum going into the second half.
That said, what the break also did was allow Ireland to re-calibrate. Which they did in smart fashion, with Dan Sheehan barrelling over for his now obligatory try.
A team good as England – unbeaten at home since November 2024 – were always going to get their ‘spell’. Which they did as Ollie Lawrence and Sam Underhill added five apiece.
The lads weren’t for turning however, and the outstanding Osborne gave his performance the exclamation mark it deserved when touching down almost immediately on his return.
So the scales have tipped back into the credit column. At the very least, the Triple Crown appears there for the taking.
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