Family reunion makes England display extra special for Ireland’s Finlay Bealham

Try-scorer Finlay Bealham admits Ireland’s win over England was an emotional occasion his family will never forget after being reunited with his parents for the first time in more than two years.

Australia-born prop Bealham came on for the final seven minutes of Saturday’s epic Guinness Six Nations clash and capped his cameo outing with a crucial score which secured his title-chasing side a bonus point.

Coronavirus restrictions have prevented the 30-year-old Connacht player returning to his homeland since the pandemic took hold.

His father was pictured in tears as the family embraced following the 32-15 Twickenham victory.

“It was brilliant to get on and unreal to score a try as well thanks to James Lowe’s really good carry,” said Bealham.

“It put me in a nice position to get over the line and it was a lovely try. It was just nice for me to be out there.

“I had my parents there, who I haven’t seen for the past two and a half years with Covid, so it was a really special day for the team and a really special day for me personally as well.

“I got to see them after the game in the crowd and it was a really emotional moment for us.

“Certainly this is a day that the Bealham family won’t forget.”

Ireland benefited from England lock Charlie Ewels being dismissed inside 82 seconds for a dangerous challenge on James Ryan.

But Andy Farrell’s men were pushed all the way by the depleted hosts before late scores from Jack Conan and Bealham broke the resistance, adding to first-half tries from Lowe and Hugo Keenan.

Ireland have collected bonus points in each of their four championship fixtures to keep themselves within touching distance of table-topping France.

They conclude the tournament against Scotland in Dublin, while Les Bleus