England Beat Ireland To Keep Six Nations Grand Slam Hopes Alive (PICTURES)

England Beat Ireland To Keep Six Nations Grand Slam Hopes Alive (PICTURES)

England coach Stuart Lancaster hailed the maturity of his young team after they battled to a first RBS 6 Nations victory over Ireland in Dublin for a decade.

Owen Farrell kicked four penalties as England won a ferocious encounter 12-6 and passed what Lancaster rated as one of the biggest tests of their character.

"I am delighted to get the win here today," Lancaster said. "When you have the conditions as they were it was going to be a tight game and down to small margins."

England captain Chris Robshaw is jubilant at the final whistle

He went on: "To come here with a young side and show that kind of maturity to close the game out was hugely pleasing. It is a very difficult to play rugby against experienced players when we have lads on single figures in terms of caps, it is great testament to their maturity.

"As a test of character it was right up there because of the quality of the Ireland side and the ability to get the win."

Under incessant rain, it was what Lancaster calls England's "warrior spirit" which shone through in a game of brutal intensity.

Ireland 6-12 England

Ireland enjoyed most of the first-half posession but England defended like rabid dogs at times and they led 6-0 at the interval. Ronan O'Gara landed two penalties to draw Ireland level and with, James Haskell in the sin-bin, England were suddenly up against it. But England maintained their composure and won that 10-minute period, with Farrell restoring their six-point advantage.

"I put that up there as an absolutely massive win, a huge win," said assistant coach Andy Farrell. "We have come to Ireland and we have played against a very good Ireland side.

"For a young side to play like that in a pressured situation against a team that has been there and done that, and been successful with it, is a credit to everyone."

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