Ruthless Ireland hit record away win over England
· BBC SportByAlastair Telfer
BBC Sport journalist at Allianz Stadium
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Men's Six Nations
England (7) 21
Tries: Dingwall, Lawrence, Underhill Cons: Ford 3
Ireland (22) 42
Tries: Gibson-Park, Baloucoune, O'Brien, Sheehan, Osborne Cons: Crowley 4 Pens: Crowley 3
A ruthless Ireland reignited their Six Nations title bid with a record away win over England at Allianz Stadium.
The visitors' previous record-winning margin was a 17-point victory in 2022, with the defeat all but ending Steve Borthwick side's championship hopes.
Andy Farrell's side proved too quick and slick for the hosts, scoring three tries inside the opening 30 minutes.
Jamison Gibson-Park's quick thinking caught England napping, before tries by wingers Robert Baloucoune and Tommy O'Brien.
Borthwick's side, who were looking to bounce back from last week's defeat by Scotland, finally crossed at the end of a frantic first half through Fraser Dingwall.
Ireland could still claim the Triple Crown, which they won last year, with Dan Sheehan's try clinching the bonus point early in the second half.
The visitors are still in the running for the championship but may rue not picking up a late bonus point in last week's win over Italy.
Centre Ollie Lawrence and Sam Underhill scored second-half tries for England, but Ireland were always too far clear because of the boot of Jack Crowley and a try by Jamie Osborne.
Ireland host Wales on Friday, 6 March, while England travel to Rome on Saturday, 7 March.
Ireland show class of 2023
In the opening two rounds, Ireland were a long way off the side that claimed back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.
With key personnel injured and players lacking form, Farrell's team has a new look this championship.
And against England, Ireland's multi-phase attack looked back at its best.
One player to benefit is Ulster wing Baloucoune, who was a standout performer against Italy last week - his acceleration and offload creating the initial break for Gibson-Park's try.
His club team-mate Stuart McCloskey then burst up the middle of the pitch for Baloucoune to eventually dot down in the corner.
Full of confidence, Baloucoune - who was also excellent in defence - broke clear and found replacement O'Brien, on for injured James Lowe, for a third unanswered try.
Much of the build-up to the game at Allianz Stadium once again was dominated by the Ireland number 10 debate.
Crowley's performance could well end it - for a while, at least - as he guided his side around the pitch brilliantly.
But his poor missed touch-finder against Italy, with the clock in the red and a bonus point a real possibility, may prove costly if France slip up.
Yet the game could mirror the 2021 win over England, which sparked Ireland's first rejuvenation under Farrell before they reached world number one in 2023.
More to follow.
Line-ups
England: Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Dingwall, Arundell; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Heyes, Itoje, Chessum, T Curry, Earl, Pollock
Replacements: George, Rodd, Davison, Coles, Pepper, Underhill, Van Poortvliet, M Smith
Ireland: Osborne; Baloucoune, Ringrose, McCloskey, Lowe; Crowley, Gibson-Park; Loughman, Sheehan, Furlong, Ryan, McCarthy, Beirne, Van der Flier, Doris (capt).
Replacements: Kelleher, O'Toole, Bealham, C Prendergast, Timoney, Casey, Frawley, O'Brien
Match officials
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Fra)
Assistant Referees: Pierre Brousset (Fra) and Gianluca Gnecchi (Fra)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (Fra)