SEX BOMB Jones shot down as Johnny & Co wreck England’s record bid
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And Joe Schmidt blasted Eddie Jones’ bizarre ‘leprachaun’ slight after Peter O’mahony put in a man of the match JOHNNY SEXTON shot England down on St Patrick’s weekend as Ireland claimed a famous victory to finish second in the Six Nations.
RECORD breakers Ireland added England’s prized scalp in Dublin to that of New Zealand in Chicago.
It was Joe Schmidt’s men who ended the All Blacks’ attempt for 19 straight Test wins at Soldier Field in November.
Yesterday they dished out the same treatment to the Red Rose – burying their attempt to make it 19 without defeat, and killing their Grand Slam bid at the last hurdle for good measure.
And so, just as in 2001 and in 2011, Ireland stepped up to act as party poopers to an impressive England side that had already secured the 6 Nations title.
With criticism mounting after last week’s Cardiff defeat, Ireland saved their best for last in this championship.
Not only did they avoid a third tournament loss for the first time under Schmidt, they finished second.
There was little doubt they’d be up for it.
But having lost two senior key men in Conor Murray and Rob Kearney this week, they then lost vice-captain Jamie Heaslip to a hamstring injury in the warm-up.
CJ Stander moved to No.8, with Peter O’mahony promoted to the line-up.
The kick-off was briefly delayed due to the 20 minutes of additional time played in Paris between France and Wales, but it was worth the wait as far as Schmidt was concerned.
A last-gasp converted home try handed France a narrow win – guaranteeing Ireland’s top four seeding for the next World Cup.
Had Wales held on and Ireland lost yesterday, the Welsh would have leapfrogged them.
The pressure off a little, what transpired at Lansdowne Road was a real meaty affair between the old rivals. A direct Ireland ran with pace at their opponents and it paid off.
Making his first 6 Nations start, Kieran Marmion was outstanding and Jared Payne – despite some iffy moments under the high ball – showed what an attacking asset he is
from full-back.
Shipping heavy hits from James Haskell and Maro Itoje early on, Johnny Sexton kicked the hosts ahead on 11 minutes, with skipper Rory Best off the pitch for a HIA.
Owen Farrell restored parity six minutes later with O’mahony penalised for not rolling away – but Iain Henderson stretched out at the bottom of a lineout maul on 23 minutes to score the opening try.
Sexton made it 10-3 and so it stood until the break, despite some promising moments for both sides – though Ireland’s inability to add to the scoreline despite long periods of pressure didn’t bode well.
Nor did the loss of Keith Earls at the break – debutant Andrew Conway replaced him – and while Sexton was still running the show, another Itoje hit left him wincing.
Farrell cut the deficit to four on 51 minutes after Jack Mcgrath’s mindless offside.
Another late hit on Sexton, this time by replacement Tom Wood, saw ref Jerome Garces award a penalty but take no further action, despite Best’s protestations.
The No.10 then cleared his head to land his toughest kick for a 13-6 lead.
Eager to do well, Conway mistimed his tackle on Ben Te’o in the air and Farrell kicked the penalty to the corner.
With the England maul driving forward, a penalty closer to the posts was awarded and Farrell slotted over.
A brilliant lineout steal by man of the match O’mahony in the 74th minute was another turning point as England’s more experienced bench looked to turn the screw against the tiring hosts.
Luke Mcgrath, on for Marmion, delivered a magnificent kick to the corner to pin the visitors in with two minutes left.
England turned it over, but Ireland would not be denied.