Six Nations Rugby 2024: England Defeat Favourites Ireland in Final Seconds of Game

In a thrilling Six Nations encounter at Twickenham, Marcus Smith secured a last-minute drop-goal, propelling England to a surprising victory over Ireland and dashing their hopes of securing consecutive Grand Slam titles.

Despite trailing by two points following James Lowe’s late try, Smith’s decisive kick sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

The second half witnessed a flurry of action as Lowe’s acrobatic finish and subsequent tries by George Furbank and Ben Earl propelled England into the lead.

However, Lowe’s second try threatened to seal the victory for Ireland until Smith’s composure under pressure delivered England’s first Six Nations defeat over Ireland since 2022.

Ollie Lawrence had initiated the scoring for England in a dynamic start, countered by Jack Crowley’s precise kicking for Ireland.

England’s unexpected triumph keeps their slim title aspirations alive, while Ireland still have the opportunity to retain their crown with a victory over Scotland in the final fixture.

Despite Ireland being heavily favored to extend their winning streak against England, the hosts, led by captain Jamie George, defied expectations.

George rallied the team, emphasizing the importance of defending their home turf against Ireland’s challenge.

The atmosphere at Twickenham reflected the heightened stakes of the match, with England capitalizing on Lawrence’s early try to unsettle the visitors.

Despite Crowley’s penalty kicks narrowing the score gap, England maintained their discipline throughout the match.

Although Lowe’s tries momentarily swung the momentum in Ireland’s favour, England, buoyed by the milestone appearance of Danny Care, rallied to secure a memorable victory.

England’s performance starkly contrasted with their previous lackluster showing against Scotland, earning praise for their attacking intent and disciplined play.

Meanwhile, Ireland, despite their dominance in earlier fixtures, faltered against England’s aggressive defensive strategy.

While Ireland may remain favourites to retain their title against Scotland, England’s victory serves as a reminder of their potential, whilst also highlighting vulnerabilities in the reigning champions’ gameplay.

Click here to check out EU TODAY’S SPORTS PAGE!