Saxons Slam The A Team

Second half tries from James Haskell, David Strettle and replacement scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth gave England a facile 32-5 victory against Ireland in the A international at Ravenhill.

At the end of a wholly unentertaining first half Ireland trailed by 8-5, their try coming from Robert Kearney after Conor O’Loughlin had taken a quick tap. They enjoyed a degree of parity for a short period at the start of the second half but lackd any real bit to trouble a physically stronger looking English outfit.

Ireland were fortunate that Shane Geraghty couldn’t hit the proverbial barn door from the penalty spot but Mike Catt extended the English lead with a drop-goal and it was Catt who put Haskell away for the first of three tries in the final quarter.

Ireland: D Riordan; T Bowe, B Murphy (J Hearty 72 min), K Lewis, R Kearney; I Humphreys (J Sexton 72 min), C O’Loughlin; R McCormack (P Bracken 40 min), F Sheahan (B Jackman 52 min), B Young, T Hogan, L Cullen (capt), S Ferris (D Gannon 72 min), K Gleeson (S Jennings 38 min), R Wilson.

England Saxons: M Brown; M Cueto, C Walker, M Catt (capt), D Strettle; S Geraghty, P Richards R Wigglesworth 72 min); T Payne, D Hartley (A Titterell  64 min), S Turner, D Schofield, A Brown, C Jones, J Scaysbrook, J Crane (J Haskell 32 min) .

Referee:  J Garces (France).