Ireland has gotten off to a five-point start to its bid for an unprecedented third straight outright Six Nations rugby title by overpowering England in a second-half recovery to rack up a 27-22 victory in Dublin.

England lead after 40 minutes in Dublin. Back on the pitch and back in the points. Marcus Smith kicks England five clear and that will be that. England's fleet-footed back-row gamble is paying off so far with Ben Earl, Tom and Ben Curry stirring up Ireland's usual intricate patterns, getting into eyelines and ribcages at pace.

England's Ben Earl is adamant "the dam will break" and the team will start turning these narrow defeats into wins, as they turn attention to their Six Nations clash with France.