No grand slam for England

Ireland ended England's hopes of an RBS Six Nations grand slam on Saturday evening when they scored a decisive 24-8 victory in Dublin.

The home side saved their best until last at the Aviva Stadium, as Declan Kidney's team finally produced the sort of rugby they had threatened earlier in the tournament.

Producing a display of real confidence, Ireland's high-tempo attitude going forward and ability to pressure England in defence seemed to un-nerve Martin Johnson's men.

They were 17-3 up at half-time after Tommy Bowe scored their opening try and Jonathan Sexton kicked four penalties.

Captain Brian O'Driscoll then scored his 25th try in Five/Six Nations competition - a record - and although Steve Thompson pulled one back for England, they never looked likely to make any more headway.

Deprived of the slam, they won the championship nonetheless after their only challengers, Wales, later lost 28-9 to France in Paris.

England appeared confident from the kick-off, although Ireland's defence immediately held up well and they soon won a penalty after their pack dominated the opening scrum.

They won another when England strayed offside at the lineout after six minutes, with Sexton kicking three points from in front of the posts.

England lost promising possession when trying to break through the midfield soon after, and although Ireland's counter ended with a knock-on, their next brought a high tackle by Chris Ashton on Sexton.

The Ireland number 10 duly found the target and England found themselves 6-0 down after 15 minutes.

Spark

Four minutes later David Wallace ended the attempts of Ben Youngs to spark an attack and the number nine was then penalised at the scrum for knocking the ball out the hands of an opponent.

Sexton kicked for the corner and with territory established, Ireland worked the ball up and back down the line.

Although O'Driscoll then crossed in the left-hand corner, Bowe's pass to the overlap was adjudged forward.

Still, there was the consolation of another three points for Sexton and the knowledge that they held the upper hand.

It got worse for England after 25 minutes when, having been awarded a penalty that he would surely have normally taken, Tony Flood was found wanting.

Ireland pressed forward immediately and caught England flat-footed, with Bowe this time making no mistake as he took Sexton's pass to cross.

Sexton could not convert, but Flood could at least put England's first points on the board with a penalty just past the half hour.

They could not use that to fashion a response though; instead Wallace came close to scoring after England's backline were dispossessed dealing with a high kick.

Youngs had helped bundled Wallace into touch but he was then sin-binned for throwing the ball into the crowd and preventing the quick throw.

Sexton kicked his fourth penalty, with Wallace almost crossing again - this time in the left-hand corner - one minute before half time.

England appeared just as nervous at the start of the second half as Ireland piled on more pressure, although they failed to make the man advantage pay.

Loose

But with Danny Care replacing Youngs it didn't matter as O'Driscoll picked up a loose ball to cross in the left-hand corner after 46 minutes, with Sexton converting.

Ashton then burst for the line but his final pass found Gordon D'Arcy. However, Ireland gifted their opponents a try on 52 minutes after a line-out went awry and Thompson took advantage.

Jonny Wilkinson missed the conversion but it was around this time that England finally appeared to get their act together and consistently apply pressure themselves.

Ireland's defence remained unbreached, however, and with heavy rain by now falling, the home side got some respite when Care struggled to control the ball on the greasy surface.

The home side remained ahead on territory in the closing 10 minutes and try as England might, their increasingly tired-looking attacks never looked likely to prosper.

Keith Earls made headway for Ireland two minutes from time without reward and although England finished on the front foot, their last attack ended when Wilkinson fumbled the ball.