SIX NATIONS RUGBY: Ireland's Grand Slam hopes ended by strong England performance

Ireland hopes of a second Gram Slam in three years were well and truly halted by a dominant England performance at Twickenham on Sunday afternoon.

Playing their first game at Twickenham since walloping Ireland in a pre-World Cup warm-up game, the beaten World Cup finalists were a different class once again and put themselves right back in the Guinness Six Nations Championship title race.

Ireland hardly fired a shot in the first half, reflected in the fact they spent just 31 seconds in their opponents '22' as mistakes from captain Jonathan Sexton and winger Jacob Stockdale gifted the hosts two tries, Owen Farrell converting both and a penalty for a deserved 17-0 interval lead.

Of course the Irish rallied in the second half and got an early try through Robbie Henshaw - Sexton who fluffed a first half penalty again having problems with the boot from tee.

When replacement hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie powered over for a try the result was beyond any doubt although if there is a final shakedown, the late Irish try for Andrew Porter and John Cooney's conversion could have a bearing on points difference.

England moved level on points with Ireland, both four behind the still unbeaten French.

At Twickenham on a bright, but blustery Sunday afternoon, England began aggressively and were rewarded with an eighth-minute try from George Ford.

Ireland captain Johnny Sexton made a mess when trying to collect a grubber kick from Youngs inside his own try line, allowing fly-half Ford to take advantage and touch down.

The deserved early score, converted by Farrell to make it 7-0, came after Jones' side pinned back the visitors from kick-off.

After Sexton squandered a straightforward penalty to reduce the deficit, England extended their lead to 14-0 following a second try which had hallmarks of the first.

This time Ford lifted a kick over Ireland's defence and, as Jacob Stockdale hesitated, Elliot Daly stole in to apply the finishing touch, with Farrell adding the extras following a TMO review.

Ireland's afternoon suffered another setback as prop Cian Healy limped off in the aftermath of the try to be replaced by Dave Kilcoyne.

The Irish did have a rare sortie into the English half, but were unable to muster anything of note to really threaten the hosts and Farrell strengthened his side’s grip on the game with a penalty three minutes from the break to lead 17-0.

Ireland were much-improved early in the second period and reduced the deficit to 17-5 following a period of pressure, centre Robbie Henshaw powered his way over to touch down to the right of the posts.

Sexton's kicking problems continued and his conversion was again well off target.

England reasserted their authority on the contest and scored a third try of the afternoon through replacement Luke Cowan-Dickie.

The hosts maul had too much power for Ireland, allowing hooker Cowan-Dickie to touch down.

Farrell continued to show Sexton how to kick as he successfully dispatched the conversion from wide on the right to move the scoreboard to 24-5.

Ireland rallied in the closing stages, replacement scrumhalf John Cooney almost wriggling away before being taken down by a high tackle, but with the clock well into the red the English rearguard finally gave in with replacement prop Andrew Porter crossing - Cooney landing the extras.