Ireland recover to secure bonus point 27-22 win over England

DUBLIN :Ireland had to come from behind against England to get their bid for a third successive Six Nations title off to a winning 27-22 bonus point start on Saturday thanks to a ferocious second half after the visitors had made life very uncomfortable.

England got their gameplan spot on in the first half to lead 10-5 at the break, striking early through a debut Cadan Murley try before frustrating a stop-start Ireland at the breakdown with only Jamison Gibson-Park able to break through.

The game swung decisively Ireland's way early in the second half with a powerful Bundee Aki try and Sam Prendergast penalty putting them ahead for the first time after 55 minutes before a Tadhg Beirne try delivered a knockout blow 10 minutes later.

The relentless hosts pushed for the fourth bonus point-clinching try to cap off interim coach Simon Easterby's first game in charge and got it through replacement Dan Sheehan before Tom Curry halted the second-half onslaught and Tommy Freeman grabbed another consolation try at the death.

"We have to give a lot of credit to England, they stuck it to us for the most part. They're a quality side with quality players," man of the match Gibson-Park said in a pitchside interview.

"I think we certainly saw glimpses of that (reaching our potential) in the second half, there was some nice footy being played. We'll take a bit of confidence out of that."

England bossed the opening period and took a deserved lead on nine minutes when Harlequins winger Murley collected a beautifully deft kick through from scrumhalf Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith added the conversion.

The speed of England's defensive line was having the desired impact and Steve Borthwick's men were also edging the aerial battle before one glaring