Marcus Smith’s drop goal denies Ireland Six Nations title as England win thriller

The Cheltenham festival does not start until Tuesday but already a big Irish favourite has been unexpectedly reeled in. If the Six Nations trophy is still almost certain to end up with green ribbons attached to it, Andy Farrell’s thoroughbreds have been dramatically denied the chance to become the first team to win back-to-back grand slams this century.

Because this was the day when England finally gave their supporters a glimpse of something truly uplifting. From start to finish this was as positive a display as they have produced in ages and, at 22-20 behind entering the closing seconds, they had one final surge left in them. With advantage being played and Ireland hanging on for dear life, the ball came back to Marcus Smith whose drop goal earned England their first win in this fixture in five attempts.

It made for a thrilling contest, with a storming early try for Ollie Lawrence setting the upbeat tone. When George Furbank finished off another flowing attack seven minutes into the second half to reduce the margin to four points it set up a fascinating last half-hour.

With Ireland’s captain, Peter O’Mahony, in the sin-bin, England came again. Turning down kicks at goal in search of a close-range try they worked Ben Earl over, only for Ireland’s pony-tailed winger James Lowe to score his second try eight minutes from time.

Would it be enough to keep Ireland’s grand slam vision alive? They remain a fine team but they ran into opponents who refused to back down. Smith will be the first to salute the hard work of those in front of him, with Earl, George Martin and Ollie Chessum all outstanding, but the Harlequins fly-half also had the nerve to seal the deal.

After Scotland’s loss to Italy in Rome, England seemed to have an alternative script in mind from the outset. As early as the fourth minute Furbank came sprinting out from the back and there was enough momentum in the move for the defender Calvin Nash to be smashed in contact with Tommy Freeman as he rushed up seeking to cut off the danger. It left some space on the left and slick hands gave Henry Slade the time and space to put Lawrence over.

For those mostly reared on a diet of English stodge this winter it was like spotting the first hopeful crocus of a brighter spring. To their credit, England kept on coming. Ireland, initially calm and assured, found themselves being thumped backwards and hustled in possession by opponents clearly determined to give them a proper rattle.

With George Ford adding another penalty and Nash failing his head injury assessment, the England defence was also several notches up on anything seen so far in the tournament. Chessum, anxious to join the fun, put in a huge hit on Bundee Aki to drive him into touch, hurting his own shoulder in the process but pumping up the crowd even more.

Suddenly, it was Ireland defending for their lives and, for a second, it seemed Lawrence had a second try. The Bath centre’s chip ahead, however, went forward off Furbank’s fingers before it bounced back up into the former’s arms and the home side were rightly denied a potentially crucial score.

On the upside, England’s intent to play had already transformed the mood within the stadium bowl. Here, finally, was the promised transformation from slow ball specialists to something more uplifting. Had Ford not missed a very kickable penalty with half an hour gone it would have gained even greater reward.

Ireland, though, are a durable bunch. There was a perfect example of their all-court ability when Chessum thundered up into midfield and was again met by his nemesis Aki. The squat centre was quickest to react after the collision, winning a jackal turnover that allowed Jack Crowley to kick a low, scudding 45-metre penalty and put the visitors ahead for the first time in a thunderous contest.

For a good while it felt like a pivotal moment. Ireland, having weathered a prolonged storm, finally had the chance to revert to what they do so well and a typical left-foot howitzer from Lowe gave Furbank a dilemma close to the sideline. Should he try and catch it or leave it? He opted for the former but his right foot grazed the whitewash and Ireland had the attacking lineout. Another three points for offside duly materialised shortly afterwards and, for the fourth game in a row in this tournament, England trotted in behind at the interval.

Would that be the ballgame? It certainly seemed like it when Lowe dived in at the left corner barely four minutes after the restart to give his side an 11-point advantage. England, though, were determined not to stop playing. Furbank’s try reinvigorated all concerned and, on the hour, Earl’s score regained them the lead.

With Danny Care trotting on to win his 100th Test cap, could the fairytale be completed with Ireland now back to 15 players. Initially, it seemed not. Good hands again gave Lowe space to finish spectacularly past Smith in the left corner but Crowley’s conversion attempt was mis-hit.

It left the door ajar for Elliot Daly but his long-range penalty drifted wide on the breeze. By now there were bodies from both sides littering the field but there was still just enough time for England to mount one final stand. The pending penalty would have been a virtual formality but Smith’s nightmarish last drop will haunt Irish dreams for years to come.