England Go Numb as the Big Freeze Strikes Again

From NICK CAIN at the Aviva Stadium SEIZE the day? Not a chance, because on far too many occasions in this potentially epochmaking match England could not even catch the ball.

As for Ireland, huge credit to them, because although this was close on the scoreboard at no point did England look remotely like winning. They simply did not have the strength or tactical nous to prise away the iron grip of these Irish spoilers, and were left powerless as their dreams of a double Grand Slam, and setting a new world record of 19 consecutive wins, were throttled.

This was the big freeze by Eddie Jones’ side, the day they let the weight of expectation of a double Grand Slam and a new 19 match world record winning run seep deep into their bones, and render them numb. They were all fingers and thumbs, unable – bar a couple of rumbling mauls – to get any purchase on this match.

By comparison Ireland were galvanised, outplaying the already crowned 2017 champions in almost every facet of the game. By the end of this encounter the English crown had been knocked askew, and their ambition to become their nation’s new rugby immortals lay trampled underfoot in the Dublin drizzle.

Inevitably, as Dylan Hartley and his team trooped up onto the podium and the fireworks erupted briefly as they raised the trophy, the overwhelming sense was of a damp squib, and another lost England Slam to add to those in 2000, 2001, 2011 and 2013.

That Ireland have now done a notable double of their own this season by stopping both England and New Zealand from advancing past 18 wins, was unexpected.

This was not only because of the way they were knocked aside by Wales in Cardiff a week ago, but because they had also lost two of their big figures from the win over the All Blacks. Just before kick-off it was announced that No.8 Jamie Heaslip would join scrum-half talisman Conor Murray on the sidelines, to be replaced Peter O’Mahony.