England lead after 40 minutes in Dublin. Back on the pitch and back in the points. Marcus Smith kicks England five clear and that will be that. England's fleet-footed back-row gamble is paying off so far with Ben Earl, Tom and Ben Curry stirring up Ireland's usual intricate patterns, getting into eyelines and ribcages at pace.

Ireland has gotten off to a five-point start to its bid for an unprecedented third straight outright Six Nations rugby title by overpowering England in a second-half recovery to rack up a 27-22 victory in Dublin.

Ireland had to come from behind against England to get their bid for a third successive Six Nations title off to a winning 27-22 bonus point start on Saturday thanks to a ferocious second half after the visitors had made life very uncomfortable for a time.