England v Ireland: Six Nations live updates from Twickenham
Ireland established control early at Twickenham in the 2026 six nations match, with a string of tries and reliable kicking putting England on the back foot; England made tactical substitutions and crossed the line later as they chased a recovery in week three.
Six Nations: Ireland in control at Twickenham
Match updates show Ireland taking the initiative with multiple tries, including a first-try celebration for Jamison Gibson-Park and a sequence in which Balacoune created space that led to a Tommy O'Brien run. Jack Crowley added conversions that increased Ireland's cushion. At one point the scoreboard read 22-0 in Ireland's favour, and match play featured a tapped penalty moved left to Dan Sheehan who forced over before Crowley's conversion put more daylight between the sides.
England response and tactical changes
England made several substitutions as they looked for momentum. Marcus Smith entered the match in place of Steward at fullback in a move described in match updates as intended to add pace and attacking spark. England later put points on the board when Dingwall muscled over after a forward charge into the 22, but that score arrived after Ireland had already built a strong lead. Match commentary noted missed tackles and kicking errors that contributed to England's difficulties in halting Irish phases.
Key incidents that shaped the game
Several specific moments influenced the flow: a professional foul by Pollock halted a play that might otherwise have released the ball; an O'Brien chase won a kicked contest and led to forward momentum that eventually produced points; and a scrum and ruck sequence delivered a set-piece platform for Ireland to exploit. England enjoyed joy in broken play and when they shifted the ball, yet those instances were not enough to overturn Ireland's early dominance in the exchanges covered here.
Post-match and midgame reaction in the live coverage included blunt assessments of defensive misses and set-piece lapses from England, and praise for Ireland's ability to convert pressure into scoring opportunities.
Wider implications and next fixtures
This fixture is presented as part of week three of the 2026 Six Nations. Scotland and Wales were scheduled to meet later the same day, with that fixture listed as a separate kick-off in match listings. Observables from this match—an early multi-try advantage for Ireland, England's early substitutions, and the pattern of missed tackles and kicks—offer an immediate indicator of team form heading into the remainder of the championship. If Ireland sustain this level across upcoming matches, their position in the table will strengthen; if England's handling and defensive basics are not tightened, their recovery in the tournament will be more difficult.
Key takeaways:
- Ireland built an early lead through tries and accurate conversions.
- England introduced Marcus Smith and other tactical changes while seeking to claw points back.
- Set-piece execution, missed tackles and a professional foul were decisive moments in the phases covered.
At the time of these match updates, the game narrative emphasised Ireland's control and England's urgent need for points and defensive improvement as the Six Nations campaign continues.
