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England keep Grand Slam dream alive with win in Dublin
Sean O'Brien of Ireland is tackled by Tom Youngs and Chris Robshaw of England during the RBS Six Nations match between Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium on February 10, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(February 9, 2013 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
RBS 6 Nations has a match report:
England withstood a second-half Irish onslaught to claim their first victory in Dublin in the RBS 6 Nations for a decade, eventually running out 12-6 winners in the tightest of contests.
Owen Farrell kicked four penalties to Ronan O'Gara's two as England edged the battle of the two remaining Grand Slam contenders in freezing conditions.
Leading 6-0 at the interval, England wavered in the first 20 minutes of the second period and when James Haskell was sent to the sin bin at 6-6 the smart money was on Ireland to complete an impressive comeback.
But the visitors gathered themselves and played the rest of the game in the Ireland half to ensure they returned home with their RBS 6 Nations dream alive.
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England player Ben Youngs clears the ball during the RBS Six Nations match between Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium on February 10, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(February 9, 2013 - Source: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe)
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Sean O'Brien of Ireland is tackled by Chris Robshaw and Dan Cole of England during the RBS Six Nations match between Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium on February 10, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(February 9, 2013 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)
Dublin triumph for England
Planet Rugby has a match report:
England picked up an impressive 12-6 victory over Six Nations rivals Ireland on Sunday in an absorbing 80 minutes at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Stuart Lancaster's outfit put in another mature effort that leaves them as the last remaining unbeaten side in the 2013 Championship.
No tries were scored in the spectacle but the English displayed an edge that denied Ireland, who had crossed for three tries against Wales, any real opportunity to get over the whitewash.
Owen Farrell kicked all of England's points, but it was their intelligence with and without the ball that ultimately won the game as Ireland struggled to get into the match, due in part to losing Simon Zebo and Jonathan Sexton to early injuries.
Man of the match: While the official award went to captain Chris Robshaw, who was superb as a leader, we believe that Ben Youngs had a slightly better shift in Dublin. He organised his pack well while his kicking for position was outstanding in difficult conditions. Rarely does Danny Care not make it onto the field but today Youngs was not to be disturbed.
Moment of the match: After Ronan O'Gara had kicked three points following England's James Haskell kicking the ball out from a ruck, the visitors showed real character to record their own points while the flank was in the sin-bin. In such spells wins are earned.
Villain of the match: There were two occasions when Cian Healy lost his cool and it is now expected that the Irish loosehead prop will face a trip to a hearing. The first indiscretion saw him stamp on Dan Cole's ankle before he led with the elbow in a ruck. Not good at all.
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Mike Ross of Ireland and Tom Wood of England grapple during the RBS Six Nations match between Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium on February 10, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(February 9, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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Ronan O'Gara of Ireland is wrapped up by Joe Marler of England during the RBS Six Nations match between Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium on February 10, 2013 in Dublin, Ireland.
(February 9, 2013 - Source: David Rogers/Getty Images Europe)
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next test:
England v France
Twickenham - London
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Scotland v Ireland
MURRAYFIELD - Edinburgh
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England
Scotland
Wales
Ireland
Italy
France