More roaring from the home fans, who are loud! Marcus Smith sends one for the heavens and Hugo Keenan loses control of the ball as Freddie Steward takes him just beneath the shoulders. England scrum, 25 metres out, just right of centre.
What noise! England win the ball back on the left touchline in the air and then Maro Itoje stomps after a box kick from Ben Youngs, demolishing Johnny Sexton.
England don’t quite make it count, and concede a penalty soon after, with Caelan Doris doing excellent work at a breakdown. But Twickenham is properly up for this contest.
Penalty to England, and Twickenham roars! Jamie George punches the air as if he’s scored as Freddie Stewards firm hit and Joe Marchant’s jackal draws England a holding on penalty. Marcus Smith will have another go at the posts, but not before Ben Youngs replaces Harry Randall.
England remain in the ascendancy at scrum time. On this occasion, Cian Healy is picked out for the infringement. The English front row has been properly dominant so far.
More unsteadiness at the set-piece, and Ellis Genge and Tadhg Furlong are called into the headmaster’s office for a talking to. Mathieu Raynal tells the props what he wants. Back down they will pack.
Another chance gone for Ireland. A lineout free kick is, as is the order of the day, quick tapped and Tadhg Furlong is soon rumbling into space from the second phase, but his offload in the vague direction of a supporting Bundee Aki travels forward as Furlong is up-ended. England scrum.
A 50:22! That is quite something from Andrew Conway, who produces a wry smile – I’m not quite sure that was entirely deliberate.
His kick along the right touchline would have been excellent regardless, but a friendly right-ward hop sends it over the touchline before Freddie Steward can hustle across and it will be Irish lineout ball inside the England 22.
