Ireland v England Six Nations - Home side kick off campaign with bonus-point win in Dublin

A dominant second half saw Ireland start their Six Nations title defence with a big win over England at Aviva Stadium, in a hard-fought and physical contest.

It was a similar story for England, who finished the first half ahead by five points, but lost the game in the second half as they let their confidence and discipline dip severely.

And while England dipped, Ireland's experience saw them grow into the game and Simon Easterby's side were a cut above Steve Borthwick's charges by the end.

It was a wonderful start on Cadan Murley’s England debut as he grabbed the game’s first try, picking up Henry Slade’s grubber kick into the 22 to score as the visitors manoeuvred an excellent first 20 minutes.

England even kept Ireland scoreless during a sin-bin period for Marcus Smith with a stonewall defence, before Jamison Gibson-Park finally opened Ireland’s account shortly before the break.

But the hosts were only off the mark by inches and once they came out into the second half, their fluidity, accuracy and composure was instantly superior to England and they showed it.

The penalty count rose and England's sharpness plummeted and they failed to live with Ireland's speed and Bundee Aki levelled the scores with a powerful finish in the corner. Sam Prendergast followed up with a penalty to take the lead and the hosts were away.

James Lowe, who was at the heart of Ireland's second-half effort, exploded through a gap and fed Tadhg Beirne for their third try.

Dan Sheehan took the fourth and most vital try and he made two crucial passes in the build up, having sent Jack Conan through a hole and whipping a pass wide to Lowe, and the hooker was on Lowe's shoulder for his score.

But England finished the match with a 'What if?' feeling as they scored twice in the final few minutes through Tom Curry and Tommy Freeman. Their entries into the 22 were essentially non-existent in the second half but when they got there, they came away with tries.

England head back to Twickenham to face France, who blasted Wales away in Paris. Borthwick has a week to bottle that first half from and find a way for England to play like that for a full 80 minutes.

Ireland travel to Murrayfield for a clash with a very confident Scotland side, who kicked off their campaign with a win over Italy.

"It was a little patchy to begin with but we produced some nice stuff in the end. A lot of credit to England.

"We improved our accuracy and things stuck better in the second half.

"I am super lucky to be part of this squad and I am just enjoying my footie. It is an unbelievable team and environment."

"I thought the first half was fantastic and we did everything we wanted to do. The second half we lost the territory a little bit and we struggled to get out.

"We just need to control the territory better and be more consistent.

"It's hard to tell what the exact reason [for the loss] is at this point, so soon after after the game. We weren't able to exit our half as quickly as we would have liked."

Ireland start their bid for a successive title with a bang as they clinch a bonus point win over England.

It was a slow start for the hosts but once they hit top gear England just could not live with them.

What could have been. Another entry into the 22 and Freeman comes away with a try. It's a poor try in Ireland's view with some weak shoulders.

Smith adds two to get a losing bonus point.

England manage to shut down a final attack from Ireland and win a penalty. Smith sends it long and England get ready to mount one final offensive.

There is at least something for England to talk about positively. First entry into Ireland's red zone and they score.

Lawrence pops a great offload out of the tackle to Murley, who sends it inside for Curry to run free over the try line.

It's almost like the autumn Tests in a nutshell. The latter stage of the game just sees Borthwick's side crumble and lose all sense of confidence.

With the game hanging in the balance they could have stamped their mark on it but Ireland's efforts in the final 20 minutes has separated the two.

And that's the Test match done. Dan Sheehan touches down in the corner for the fourth try.

Jack Conan made a great break courtesy of Sheehan's pass, who then fires wide to Lowe, who pops back inside to Sheehan and the man who started the move finishes it.

Crowley adds the two and that's the game for Ireland.

Still awaiting the first English points in his half and they haven't come close to getting them.

Ireland are pinning them back in their own half now and forcing Randall to box kick the ball back into green hands.

Oh it's getting disastrous for England here. Murley takes the ball on his line and instead of dropping on it he allows Lowe and Keenan to wrap him and drive him over for a lineout.

Another try incoming here it looks like.

Borthwick has immediately changed his backline. Harry Randall and Fin Smith are on but Marcus Smith moves to full-back with Steward heading off.

This game is threatening to run away from England now. The penalties have really cost them this half.

Lowe explodes through a rare hole that Gibson-Park spots and Beirne on his left shoulder gallops over as Ireland take control of the tie.

England are finally getting some ball and Borthwick empties the bench to keep it fresh.

Ollie Chessum and Chandler Cunningham-South come on for George Martin and Ben Curry.

It's the end of Prendergast's Six Nations debut as Jack Crowley comes on.

Thomas Clarkson is on for Bealham who can't continue.

Huge defensive scrum for Ireland on their 22.

After a brief appearance earlier, Henshaw is on as try-scorer Aki makes way.

The hosts are finally looking the more comfortable of the two and the bounce of the ball is starting to go their way.

England have been pushed to the edge with their discipline and Ireland are starting to punish it. Itoje needs to get his team under a bit more control.

Tom Willis is on for his Six Nations debut in place of Ben Earl.

Theo Dan is also on at hooker for Luke Cowan-Dickie.

A push, barely, in the lineout and Itoje is called for it.

Prendergast fires the penalty over and Ireland are in the lead for the first time today.

England win the ball from the restart again and try the little grubber into the corner again also.

Slade is called for a push on Hansen off the ball and Ireland move back up the pitch from the boot.