England run Irish ragged to deliver World Cup warning
TWICKENHAM, United
Kingdom: Joe Cokanasiga scored twice as England laid down a warning to their Rugby World Cup rivals with an astonishing 57- 15 trouncing of Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday.
England ran in eight tries in all – man of the match Manu Tuilagi ge ing one of them – as they recorded both their highest score and largest winning margin over their opponents.
For Ireland, who won the Six Nations Grand Slam and beat New Zealand last year, it was a bi er reality check in a game they had hopes of becoming world number one.
“That is not up to the standard that we set ourselves. It is hard to describe it without using a lot of profanity,” Ireland captain Rory Best told broadcasters Sky Sports.
“We are nowhere near where we need to be, the only upside is that it is the middle of August and not the middle of September.”
England skipper Owen Farrell laid down a marker for his side to improve even further a er the record victory.
“It was defi nitely fun. I love it every time I put this jersey on. We are building,” Farrell said.
“The most exciting thing is that we have our best rugby ahead of us.”
Both sides came roaring out of the blocks in the baking heat with Farrell landing the fi rst blow with a penalty in the seventh minute.
The visitors struck back as Rob Kearney’s superb long pass found Jacob Stockdale as the Ulster winger touched down for his fi h Test try.
Ross Byrne, making his maiden start at fly-half, showed no nerves as he converted from wide out on the le for 7-3.
For all Jordan Larmour’s style in a ack, his Achilles heel is his defence and he was le grasping at air as he tried to tackle Cokanasiga, who brushed him aside to touch down in the 13th minute – Tuilagi’s decoy run having sucked in the Irish defence. — AFP