England's early promise blown away by Ireland's second-half storm

Today at 02:08 PM

• Ireland 27-22 England
• Three tries after break get champions off to winning start

Slow and steady rarely wins the Six Nations race. More often than not the old championship suits a strong frontrunner and the defending champions Ireland are up and running again. A much-improved second-half saw them overcome a 10-5 half-time deficit and left England to wonder what might have been had they been able to sustain their energetic early promise.

If storming, game-turning tries from Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne and Dan Sheehan made the difference on the scoreboard the visitors ultimately could not cope with the collective power surge that took Ireland well clear by the end. England have now lost seven of their last nine Tests, with a formidable France up next this coming Saturday.