Ireland storm 'Fortress Twickenham' ... England 13 Ireland 19

da ireland.com:


06/03/04: Ireland knocked the world champions England out of their stride with an historic win at Twickenham - their first in 10 years - to stay on course for a famous Triple Crown success. Eddie O'Sullivan's side ripped up the form book to end England's 22-match unbeaten run at home dating back to the 1999 World Cup.

Clive Woodward will no doubt point to Ben Cohen's disallowed try early in the second-half as a turning point but this was a victory richly deserved for a side that carried the fight to England from start to finish.

Ireland last won at Twickenham in 1994 but the belief that this was their time was evident from the first whistle. England were unable to escape their own 22 and were lucky to get through the opening quarter with just a three-point deficit.

Those points arrived courtesy of a Ronan O'Gara penalty, the first of four successful attempts in the half, as Ireland laid down an early marker. Although scrum-half Matt Dawson scored a first-half try, from the World Cup winners first attack of note, which was converted by Paul Grayson, there was no disguising Ireland's territorial dominance.

Ireland lorded it over their opponents at the line-out, where they stole 11 of England's throws, and with the forwards operating like a well-oiled machine the space created was exploited by a backline expertly marshalled by O'Gara.

Gordon D'Arcy was a threat every time he got the ball in hand but it wasn't until the 51st minute that the Irish try arrived when fullback Girvan Dempsey touched down in the corner after a sweeping movement.

Predictably, that score stung England into action but they were unable to function in the limited space afforded them and it was the visitors who looked the more likely to score as the half-wore on.

O'Sullivan had to endure a nervy final few minutes as England fumbled for an opening but will have been extremely satisfied with his side's focus and concentration as Ireland closed out the contest to record a memorable win.

Afterwards, O'Driscoll hailed his side's belief in themselves and was understandably delighted to have beaten the world champions on their own patch.

"The belief was the big thing," he said. "There were a few hairy, scary moments in the second half but I'm so delighted to come through - this is a fantastic results for us."

England captain Lawrence Dallaglio felt his side had not played to their usual high standard but credited Ireland for an excellent display.

"I don't think we can have any complaints. If you don't win set-piece ball at this level then you will struggle," he said. "We were very poor in the lineout and we didn't stand a chance of getting good position. They disrupted our lineout and if you make as many errors as we did you are going to make life very difficult for yourself."

His predecessor as England skipper Martin Johnson added: "England made too many mistakes and when Ireland played with the ball they looked like scoring. You have to hold your hands up and say they deserved to win."