CHAMPIONS Ireland saw their Grand Slam hopes disappear at the first hurdle after losing their Six Nations opener against England in Dublin.
England were good value for their 32-20 win as they avenged last year's final-day defeat at Twickenham that secured Ireland the Grand Slam.
That loss consigned Eddie Jones' side to their lowest tournament finish in more than 30 years, but they turned the tables today, halting Ireland's 12-game winning home run.
Shaky start
Joe Schmidt’s side got off to the worst possible start after England's eight-year wait for a try in Ireland ended after just 95 seconds.
Owen Farrell found Elliot Daly with an eager Keith Earls missing the interception after charging out of the defensive line.
Robbie Henshaw competes with England try scorer Jonny May (Image: Getty)Daly spread the ball wide to Jonny May, who darted over in the corner with Farrell converting.
That wasn't in the script, but a stunned Ireland weathered the storm after England's purposeful start before Johnny Sexton sent over a routine penalty to make it 7-3.
However Ireland were unable to take advantage of debutant Tom Curry's sin-binning for a late hit on Earls.
They did go ahead however thanks to Cian Healy's try after Sexton hit a penalty to the corner.
Cian Healy scores Ireland's first try (Image: Getty)The prop powered his way over the line from a metre out with Sexton adding the extras to make it 10-7.
England replied within minutes, Jacob Stockdale struggling with Daly's grubber under pressure from Jack Nowell with the Wasps player following up to ground the ball and Farrell converting.
Ireland struggled to come back as they had from May's opener and despite Mako Vunipola's disallowed try for a double movement, they led 17-10 at the break after Farrell's penalty.
Slade at the double
England ramped up the intensity in the second half but it was Ireland who opened their account first.
Following a high Kyle Sinckler tackle on Garry Ringrose, Sexton reduced the margin to just four points.
Farrell was unable to respond after Sexton conceded a penalty for hands in the ruck, but he played a role in the first of Slade's to tries.
The Saracens star found May who kicked through for Slade to dot down and despite missing the conversion, England led 22-13 following a TMO consultation.
Henry Slade with his second try (Image: Getty)A commanding England defence marshalled by man of the match Vunipola snuffed out Ireland's efforts to cut the arrears before a Farrell penalty opened up a 12-point gap.
Ireland's frustration was typified as Slade intercepted a risky Sexton pass inside his own 22 before diving over, Farrell making no mistake this time with the conversion as England secured a bonus point.
There was no such consolation for Ireland despite John Cooney's late debut try after fellow replacement Sean Cronin broke from a ruck.
A dejected Ireland after the game (Image: Getty)Sexton converted to add some respectability to the 32-20 scoreline.
Ireland must now regroup before next Saturday's visit to Scotland, who defeated Italy 33-20 at Murrayfield earlier in the day thanks to a Blair Kinghorn hat-trick.
