Ireland won without shaking (29-10), five tries to one, but also without shining against England on Saturday in a preparation match for the World Cup. The Irish chained a 12th consecutive victory and equaled their best series, auguring well a few weeks before the opening of the World Cup (September 8-October 28). Vunipola received a red card and mortgaged his World Cup chances, while Earls scored a try for his 100th appearance with the Clover XV.
With a desire to quickly ramp up in order to be ready from the start of the competition for the double shock against South Africa (September 23) and against Scotland (October 7), Andy Farrell has put his best possible team. He will probably come out with a pout, as his people were imprecise with the ball in hand. The first try, however, indicated quite the opposite: a good combination from the third line which allowed Aki to easily finish in the in-goal (8th). After being jostled at the meeting points by the English forwards, the Clover XV reacted well by being realistic via Ringrose to widen a first gap (12-3, 39th) before the break.
A week after an unconvincing victory against Wales (19-17), Steve Borthwick’s men were not ridiculous as some observers feared but were weighed down by the red card from Vunipola (53rd). At 14, they took a school try from Hansen (65th) then a fifth and last from Earls, who was celebrating his 100th cap this afternoon (76th). In the meantime, Sinckler had rewarded the good effort of the forwards of the XV de la Rose (74th).
The Irish have finished with their preparation outside France and will come to play a final test match next week (Saturday, 8:45 p.m.) against Samoa in Bayonne, at Jean-Dauger. The English have decided to make their final adjustments on their home soil, at Twickenham, against Fiji on Saturday (4:15 p.m.).
