Ireland reignited their bid for Six Nations glory as a ruthless attacking display saw them score five tries on their way to a thumping 42-21 win over England. 

Saturday's victory marked the first time Ireland have beaten England by 20+ points in a men's Test at Twickenham, all but ending Steve Borthwick's team's title hopes. 

Ireland charged out of the blocks and scored three tries in the first half-hour through Jamison Gibson-Park, Robert Baloucoune and Tommy O'Brien. 

Jack Crowley – restored for this contest in place of Sam Prendergast – kicked over all three conversions before Fraser Dingwall went over for England.

Ireland pulled further clear when Dan Sheehan scored a try early in the second half, clinching a bonus point, but Ollie Lawrence led the England response.  

However, Andy Farrell's side were never in danger of relinquishing their advantage, with Crowley ending with 17 points after mixing his three penalties with four conversions. 

Jamie Osborne's 70th-minute try put the result beyond doubt, though Sam Underhill crossed the line for an England side who travel to Rome to take on Italy on March 7, while Ireland host Wales a day earlier.

Hell of a win. pic.twitter.com/gLAvCzDHLD

— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 21, 2026

Data Debrief: Ireland's first-half dominance proves key

After surviving a scare against Italy last time out to register their first win of this year's Six Nations, Ireland delivered a blistering first-half display that effectively won them this contest. 

Indeed, Ireland's 15-point lead (22-7) is their third largest at half-time of a men's Test match against England, only behind their 2007 Six Nations meeting at Croke Park (23-3), and their Grand Slam-clinching victory at Twickenham in 2018 (21-5).

Ireland also snapped England's nine-match unbeaten run at Allianz Stadium. They had not lost at home since November 2024 against South Africa, bringing to an end their longest such run since winning 15 in a row between 2015 and 2018, a run that was also ended by the Irish.