England snatch last-gasp victory to deny Ireland's Grand Slam shot

Ireland saw their Grand Slam dream denied in Twickenham as England's Marcus Smith scored a drop goal in the last play of the game to claim a thrilling Guinness Six Nations win.

Heavy underdogs coming into the game, Steve Borthwick’s side deservedly ended Ireland’s 11-game unbeaten run in the championship with a 23-22 victory.

It was a game that Andy Farrell’s side, although they led at half-time and for most of the second half, never had full control of.

They coughed up eight penalties and handed over possession at the lineout too many times as England broke a four-game losing streak against Ireland.

The 6:2 bench split gamble, on this occasion, didn’t come off, with Calvin Nash and replacement Ciarán Frawley both failing HIAs and Ireland had to move scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park to the wing.

Out-half Jack Crowley kicked four first-half penalties to give Ireland a 12-8 lead and James Lowe’s brace of second-half tries looked to have given the defending champions the victory.

After staying in touch with tries from George Furbank and Ben Earl, the hosts were within two points as the clock ran down.

Ireland knew that due to Scotland’s loss in Italy earlier a win would have clinched the title but England worked their way deep into the 22 and replacement Smith snapped over a drop goal to break Irish hearts.

It was Ireland’s first defeat in the championship since 2022 but they can still go back-to-back with victory over the Scots, who come to Dublin next Saturday.

The first half played out nothing like predicted. England were first out of the blocks and settled into a rhythm sooner than the visitors.

Although Crowley had given Ireland an early lead with a straightforward penalty after Ellis Genge went offside, England struck the first