Summary

  • Ireland score five tries to secure record win at Twickenham as England slump to miserable defeat

  • Ireland reignite their title hopes with brilliant display marshalled by Jamison Gibson-Park

  • England's title hopes in tatters after heavy back-to-back defeats

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  1. What happened in Ireland's huge win over England?published at 17:36 GMT 21 February

    Ireland players celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    That's all from us, but we'll leave you with a story of the match.

    Ireland thrashed England to record their biggest ever win at Twickenham.

    Andy Farrell's side blew England away with five tries in a frantic game which included England making four substitutions before the 55th minute.

    It was the second-most points England have ever conceded at Twickenham and England's fifth heaviest home defeat by points difference.

    It also reignited Ireland's Six Nations' hopes and seriously dented England's challenge.

    England captain Maro Itoje, making his 100th England appearances was one of the players who left the pitch early, while Freddie Steward and Henry Pollock were both shown yellow cards.

    The referee, Andrea Piardi, was also changed, replaced by Pierre Brousset after injuring a leg muscle in the first half.

    You can soak up all the reaction in our Rugby Union Weekly podcast later tonight and in Matt Dawson's column on Sunday morning. Plus we'll have reaction from the Ireland camp on the BBC Sport rugby page.

    And if you want to watch Ireland's dream and England's nightmarish performances you can do so a minute after midnight tonight on the BBC Sport website and app.

    Media caption,

    First-half errors gifted Ireland scoring chances - Borthwick

    Media caption,

    'Emotional' Dawson criticises England's mentality

  2. 'That England team from today will be a lot better in two weeks time'published at 17:32 GMT 21 February

    FT: England 21-42 Ireland

    England Rugby

    England head coach Steve Borthwick speaking to BBC Sport on the negativity England are facing: "Two weeks ago after 12 wins on the bounce people were saying we were the best team in the world and now we are all sorts of things. Neither of these are true.

    "We are on a journey of development that has a lot of growth in it. That England team from today will be a lot better in two weeks time."

    On early changes to his team: "I saw Jamie George, the leadership and experience he brings and he helps with the errors in the line-outs.

    "Late in the first-half, with points down on the scoreboard I brought on Marcus Smith. Smith is a player that creates opportunities and I felt we needed to make a change."

  3. 'The scoreboard pressure made us play in a different manner'published at 17:29 GMT 21 February

    FT: England 21-42 Ireland

    England Rugby

    England's head coach Steve Bortwhick speaking to BBC Sport: "This team has been very good in games that have been tight and in the second half we have been strong. But unfortunately, in the last two weeks, we haven't done that and we have given ourselves a mountain to climb.

    "We haven't been able to get enough scores and that has influenced the way we have played. We will have a close look at that to ensure the first-half is a better performance to set us up for a better second half."

    On where it went wrong: "The first couple of line-outs gave them field position and opportunity to gain some points. Credit to Ireland for taking those opportunities really well."

    On discipline: "I think the turnover count was too high and the scoreboard pressure made us play in a different manner. We will look at that.

    "I think you see the errors and mistakes in the first half which gifted Ireland points in the game. Ireland played really well and we didn't."

  4. England's heaviest home defeatspublished at 17:25 GMT 21 February

    Guy PepperImage source, Getty Images
    1. England 10-53 France, 2023 (margin - 43 points)
    2. England 6-42 South Africa, 2008 (margin - 36 points)
    3. England 6-32 New Zealand, 2008 (margin - 26 points)
    4. England 20-41 New Zealand, 2006 (margin - 21 points)
    5. England 21-42 Ireland, 2026 (margin - 21 points)
  5. 'We have let everyone down'published at 17:22 GMT 21 February

    FT: England 21-42 Ireland

    England Rugby

    England forward Ellis Genge speaking to BBC Sport: "What do you do? Two weeks in a row conceding so many points in the first 15-minutes. There is no mountain to climb after that and everyone has to take a look at themselves.

    "No-one knows what the answer is right now or we would have sorted it out.

    "It opened up scar tissue from last week, we have to be better at managing that period and stop turning the ball over.

    "It's brutal, professional sport because if you get 5% wrong it's gone. We probably believed the hype from the first week too much. We can't let the noise in now.

    "Sorry to the fans, you have been outstanding, we have let everyone down, apologies for that but I promise we will make it better. We are going to go away and work as hard as we can to rectify things."

    On the end of their title hopes: "I am gutted. It's tough but that is what professional sport is and she's a nasty mistress sometimes."

  6. Questions around where England go from herepublished at 17:17 GMT 21 February

    FT: England 21-42 Ireland

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent on BBC 5 Live

    England, for the second week running, they were desperate. They started terribly and their game plan was exposed. Where they go from here is a really big question, those 12 wins in a row seem a long time ago.

    These two defeats could be damaging. There are loads of questions around England. But it's another day of magnificent Six Nations rugby. It's the tournament that keeps on giving.

  7. 'We gave ourselves a mountain to climb'published at 17:14 GMT 21 February

    FT: England 21-42 Ireland

    England Rugby

    Maro Itoje, who won his 100th cap this afternoon, to BBC Sport: "It's definitely disappointing. This is not the result or performance we wanted. As players, senior players and leadership team we have to take responsibility for not starting the game right, in the first-half we handed the ball over too much.

    "It was just our inaccuracy, we turned the ball over too much and when we did get into positions to hurt Ireland, we were not accurate and then gave ourselves a mountain to climb."

    On where the blame lies: "It's hard to say directly after the game but this is professional sport and it shows vulnerability quite harshly."

    On England's title hopes being over: "I haven't looked at the scoreline or done the math to think what is possible. All we can do is review the game."

  8. Ireland make statement to rest of the championshippublished at 17:10 GMT 21 February

    FT: England 21-42 Ireland

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent on BBC 5 Live

    A sixth win for Ireland in the Six Nations era and it was a fantastic performance from Ireland, one of their best.

    Their senior players, some of whom have been questioned, they were magnificent. What a statement they've made to the rest of the championship.

  9. 'A very enjoyable game to be a part of'published at 17:05 GMT 21 February

    FT: England 21-42 Ireland

    Ireland Rugby

    Ireland captain Caelan Doris speaking to ITV: "It's an unbelievable feeling. You could see and feel the greens [fans] from the anthems at the start. You could feel them all behind us and they carried us through the whole way. It was a very enjoyable game to be a part of.

    "We did what we wanted to do and get points on the game early and you could feel the crowd growing into it with us.

    "The fast start definitely helped but there was a ferociousness about us, there was some mistakes but we were always on the forward. It came together for us.

    "Internally there has always been belief at the core of what we are doing. We feel we have the right coaches and right group of players."

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:02 GMT 21 February

    Click 'Get Involved' to have your say

    I also turn 70 this week (tomorrow actually!) A very nice present Ireland, thank you!!!

    Trevor, Belfast

  11. Postpublished at 16:58 GMT 21 February

    FT: England 21-42 Ireland

    Next up for Ireland after the break is struggling Wales at home, and then they finish their Six Nations campaign against Scotland in Dublin.

    Get a favour off Italy, Scotland or England who are France's remaining opponents and you never know...

  12. Postpublished at 16:56 GMT 21 February

    Other stouts are available...

    Sorry, I have to say that.

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:55 GMT 21 February

    Click 'Get Involved' to have your say

    As an Ireland fan who turns 70 this week, thank you for the early birthday present....

    Rory

    Ireland didn't beat England they pummelled them!!!! A Guinness tonight

    Dermot

  14. 'It's difficult to come to Twickenham and do what we did'published at 16:52 GMT 21 February

    FT: England 21-42 Ireland

    Ireland Rugby

    Player of the match Jamison Gibson-Park to ITV Sport: "I want to congratulate Maro on 100 caps, it is a phenomenal feeling and he is an incredible bloke and a great player. He is an unbelievable leader.

    "Ireland evolved, we love to put out ball into space and let our boys on the edge do special things. I think, that was one of the keys today.

    "I count myself very lucky to be part of this team and it was unbelievable to be out here today.

    "It is a performance we will be proud of an it's difficult to come to Twickenham and do what we did."

  15. Most points conceded by England at homepublished at 16:49 GMT 21 February

    1. England 10-53 France, 2023
    2. England 6-42 South Africa, 2008
    3. England 21-42 Ireland, 2026
    4. England 37-42 Australia, 2024
    5. England 38-38 Scotland, 2019
    England scorelineImage source, Getty Images
  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:46 GMT 21 February

    Click 'Get Involved' to have your say

    Not sure about calling for change at the top, makes it too much like football. Borthwick needs to have the courage to pick players with flair and empower them to do what they do with their clubs. Harry Randall, Max Ojomo and defo start Marcus Smith at 10

    Carol

  17. Ireland up to second; England slip to fourthpublished at 16:44 GMT 21 February

    FT: England 21-42 Ireland

    Standings tableImage source, BBC Sport
  18. 'It must be nice to be Irish today'published at 16:42 GMT 21 February

    FT: England 21-42 Ireland

    Ireland Rugby

    Ireland head coach Andy Farrell speaking to ITV: "I am ecstatic for the players mainly and for the fans who turned out today in the thousands, I am just trying to get a moment to think about the people at home watching, it must be nice to be Irish today.

    "I didn't really care if we won or lost, I just wanted us to learn and get better from what we have shown in the first games up. I have felt all week that we were going to do that and we geared ourselves up and gained more respect for each other.

    "I am unbelievably proud of the lads.

    We are delighted with the win but it is more the performance really."

  19. Postpublished at 16:39 GMT 21 February

    FT: England 21-42 Ireland

    England made three changes before half-time with Luke Cowan-Dickie, Alex Mitchell and Freddie Steward all getting the hook for Jamie George, Jack van Poortvliet and Marcus Smith.

    England captain Maro Itoje, on his 100th cap, was also substituted in the 55th minute.

  20. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:36 GMT 21 February

    Click 'Get Involved' to have your say

    Borthwick must go - best crop of players in years being wasted

    Nick

    Time for a change at the top, today's performance was appalling, no idea, no plan, where was our intensity

    Ian

    As a Welshman in England I’d usually be happy about an England loss. But this result (after England thrashed Wales) makes us look even worse

    Jon