England 23-22 Ireland - Stunning Marcus Smith drop goal shocks Ireland and takes Six Nations to final weekend

Tries from Ollie Lawrence, George Furbank and Ben Earl bolstered England’s scoreline before Marcus Smith stepped up in the 80th minute to win the match against Ireland.

Despite Ireland earning an early three-point advantage through a penalty in the second minute, England enjoyed a lead until the 34th minute after a try from Lawrence and a penalty from George Ford gave them eight points.

Ireland continued to chip away at the scoreline as England piled on the pressure, and Jake Crowley’s boot put them ahead again with his third penalty with five minutes left in the first half at Twickenham. He gave Ireland a four-point lead at the break as he successfully slotted his fourth penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Ireland then scored their first try in the 43rd minute as James Lowe crossed after half-time, before Furbank replied with England’s second four minutes later.

Ireland retained their lead until Earl scored the third try for the home side to put them three points up after Smith's conversion, and a man up with Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony off the pitch as he had been shown a yellow card minutes before.

England’s victory hung in the balance as a second from Lowe gave Ireland a two-point lead with eight minutes remaining.

Smith, on what was his first 2024 Six Nations game following injury, came in clutch for England to win with a drop goal with the clock in the red and deny Ireland the Grand Slam after an attritional battle at Twickenham.

In doing so, they also denied Ireland a record-breaking 12th consecutive win in the Men’s Six Nations and prevented back-to-back Grand Slams for Andy Farrell’s side. England, who are tied with Ireland on the all-time record of 11 consecutive Men’s Six Nations victories, had their back-to-back Grand Slam and 12th victory hopes shattered by Ireland in 2017.

With Ireland’s loss to England, the title will now be decided on the final day of the championship. At the end of round five, Ireland remain at the top of the table with 16 points, with England on 12 and Scotland on 11, a positive result for Ireland against Scotland is vital to secure the overall victory.

If England manage to beat France with a bonus point and Ireland fail to earn any points against Scotland, then Steve Borthwick’s side would win the title.

Or… as is widely anticipated, if Ireland win, with or without a bonus point, or draw, they will win the championship regardless of England’s result.

The Saracens man had a stellar game for England, playing a full 80 minutes, scoring a decisive try in the process, and proving to be a key player in both defence and attack to keep his side in the game when it mattered.

He said after the match: "I'm a bit emotional because Jamie [George] lost his mum the other week and we spoke a lot about that this week. Then Danny's [Care] 100th, and some of the cr*p that's been thrown at this team over the last week. Apparently we're the worst England team ever. We've done pretty well for that accolade.

"We knew from the beginning of the game if we played our best stuff, we'd have a chance. Everything came together today, we're very fortunate, amazing stadium, amazing fans, amazing team-mates, just so pleased.

"We've been training like that every day. We all know that sometimes that doesn't translate onto the pitch, but people don't see half the stuff we do. They don't see half the stuff. They can write what they want but just so pleased that that's where we can take this team and there are parts of the game we can improve on."

England XV: Furbank 7, Feyi-Waboso 8, Slade 6, Lawrence 8 , Freeman 5, Ford 5, Mitchell 7, Genge 8, George (capt.) 7, Cole 7, Itoje 8, Martin 8, Chessum 8, Underhill 7, Earl 9

Replacements: Dan 7, Marler 7, Stuart 7, Cunningham-South 7, Dombrandt 6, Care 6, Smith 8, Daly 7

Ireland XV: Keenan 5, Nash N/A, Henshaw 5, Aki 6, Lowe 7, Crowley 6, Gibson-Park 5, Porter 5, Sheehan 5, Furlong 5, McCarthy 5, Beirne 6, O’Mahony (capt.) 3, Van der Flier 6, Doris 5

Replacements: Kelleher 4, Healy, Bealham 4, Henderson 4, Baird 4, Conan 4, Murray 4, Frawley 5

Crowley gets Ireland on the scoreboard early on!

England reply! What a response from the home side. Lawrence scores out wide as England capitalise on the 4-3 overlap, Furbank and Freeman key in midfield to set up the score. Ford's conversion attempt misses.

It's three points for Ford and England!

Crowley moves the visitors to within two points!

The fly-half kicks from just inside the opposing half to give Ireland the lead!

Crowley ends the half with another penalty to extend Ireland's lead!

Ireland get their first try! Keenan gathers the box kick, a brilliant delayed pass from Crowley sets the midfield up well as England's attack are deceived, Frawley gives the pass to Lowe on the outside who goes airborne to score. The conversion misses, but Ireland have extended their lead to nine points. England scored their first try of the match in the 3rd minute, Ireland in the 43rd.

England get one back! What a match we have on our hands here. Underhill and Itoje link up well before Furbank is sent running to score his second England try in eight appearances, his first at Twickenham. The conversion is missed, but Ireland's lead is reduced to four.

England are ahead! Earl crashes over the line! It's a powerful carry from the Saracens man who set up the attack earlier on with a fantastic line break, and he stretches his arm out over the whitewash to but the home side back in front. Marcus Smith, who's recently replaced Ford, adds the conversion.

He gets a second in the corner! A brilliant attacking phase from Ireland under pressure and they create the space for Lowe to dot down in the corner again after a fantastic pass from Gibson-Park. Ireland lead!

SMITH WINS IT FOR ENGLAND AT THE DEATH!

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