Ireland showed just why they are world number one with a comfortable 29-10 win over 14-man England at the Aviva Stadium.
Andy Farrell’s men led 12-3 at half-time after tries from centres Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose, with England’s sole points coming from the boot of George Ford.
Billy Vunipola was then sent off for a shoulder to the head of Andrew Porter, initially given as a yellow card, before being upgraded to red with the use of the new Bunker system.
Ireland capitalised on their extra man, as wingers James Lowe and Mack Hansen scored a try each before Kyle Sinckler scored a consolation try with nine minutes on the clock.
The hosts were not done there though, with Keith Earls, on his 100th cap for his country, diving in acrobatically to score a fifth try, to the delight of his teammates and onlooking family.
The visitors started the brighter of the two sides, breaking into the Ireland 22 early, and they were rewarded for their endeavours with a penalty, from which Ford made no mistake to give Steve Borthwick’s side a 3-0 lead after just four minutes.
That lead did not last long, though, as Ireland came storming into the England half themselves in front of their passionate supporters in Dublin.
Josh van der Flier’s exquisite flat pass to Peter O’Mahony saw him race into the England 22, finding Aki, who had the easiest of run-ins to stroll under the posts and give the home side a lead.
England attempted to claw their way back but each time they entered the Ireland 22, the home defence always seemed up to the task.
Neither side could quite muster up a solid set of phases and the scoreboard was not troubled again, until Ireland turned on the style just before the half time whistle.
Carving through the English defence was Hugo Keenan and then Cian Prendergast, before Mack Hansen, in temporarily at stand-off, nailed a perfect cross-kick to Ringrose who duly cut inside and dived over for a second Ireland score.
England attempted to reduce the deficit in the early stages of the second half but they were unable to do so and their afternoon was about to get that much trickier when Vunipola saw red.
Just three minutes later, Ireland extended their lead further, as Lowe ran on to a wonderful wide pass from Ross Byrne, walking in virtually unopposed, with the English defence unable to cover the wide channels.
Hansen had been on top form once again and when the ball came his way out wide, he was unlikely to pass up the opportunity, cutting in smartly to cross for Ireland’s fourth score.
England crossed for a consolation as Sinckler dived over following Danny Care’s quick tap penalty but any hopes of an unlikely comeback were quickly quashed.
Just new to the field, centurion Earls received the ball in space on the left hand side with plenty of work to do but he sprinted away from the English defence and dived into the corner in style to seal yet another impressive Ireland win ahead of the World Cup.
