England halt Ireland's Six Nations party

You have to go back to the World Cup semifinal victory over New Zealand at Yokohama in 2019 for England’s last front-foot display of this measure

England, where have you been?

It’s great to have you back. The shock and awe that overwhelmed Scotland in Rome (where Italy upset the Scots reverberated all the way to Twickenham in London yesterday as England sensationally shattered Ireland’s Grand Slam procession with a 23-22 win.

Suddenly, remarkably, it is England who now have an outside chance of winning the title.

If Ireland needed a reminder of the reason no team has yet to complete backto-back Grand Slams in the Six Nations, England provided it in spades with a stunning victory, the best of coach Steve Borthwick’s tenure and one that finally brought elation to the Twickenham faithful after years of hurt.

Borthwick’s side will require a bonuspoint win against France in Lyon and Scotland to deny Ireland any match points to win their first Six Nations title since 2020 but still, suddenly the championship has sprung into life.

You have to go back to the World Cup semifinal victory over New Zealand at Yokohama in 2019 for England’s last frontfoot display of this measure, and against such a side dripping with such quality, experience and winning nous.

Given the context, this will not only be regarded as one of the great English performances but also the moment that Borthwick’s tenure finally burst into life. If the World Cup campaign was all about squeezing the last drops of performance from the remnants of Eddie Jones’ old squad, we saw a blistering look into the future under Borthwick.

Perhaps more importantly of all is that the victory cements Borthwick’s authority as England head coach. The World Cup campaign was largely unloved by England supporters, even if a third-place finish could be regarded as above par. Borthwick had been promising evolution, in both attack and defence, and here in glorious technicolour was hard-proof to back up his words.

The most famous drop-goal in English rugby may remain with Jonny Wilkinson, but Marcus Smith’s effort to clinch victory here in the final minute of the match will also be etched in history.

That Danny Care, winning his 100th cap, threw the critical pass, only added to the sense of drama and substance, after James Lowe’s late try appeared to have won the game for Ireland.