After being mercilessly pummelled by France a fortnight ago, Ireland arrived in south-west London and showed the rugby world they’re not quite done yet.
On Thursday, Farrell urged his players to “fire a few shots”, and they responded to end England’s nine-match winning run at home in ruthless fashion and ruin Maro Itoje’s 100th cap.
Heavily criticised for their passive, leggy display in Paris, Ireland rediscovered the defensive grit and attacking flair that propelled them to the top of the world rankings leading into the 2023 World Cup.
There were monumental performances all over the field.
Caelan Doris produced one of his best displays as captain, Crowley impressed at fly-half, Rob Baloucoune delivered crucial moments at both ends of the field, and Josh van der Flier responded emphatically to being dropped for last week’s win over Italy.
But no Irish player stood taller than Jamison Gibson-Park, who epitomised Ireland’s desire to best England on both sides of the ball with a virtuoso display at scrum-half.
The British and Irish Lion, who started on the bench against Italy, scored Ireland’s first try, created the second for Baloucoune, and ended his day with a much-deserved player of the match award.
“I called it after a few of his first moments that he’d get man of the match,” legendary Irish scrum-half Conor Murray said on the Ireland Rugby Social.
“He kept things quick, did what he does best. Tadhg Beirne was unbelievably sharp to give him the ball for that try and everything flowed after that. He was brilliant.”
