Rugby World Cup 2015: England beat Ireland in final warm-up

England (12) 21

Tries: May, Watson Con: Ford Pens: Ford, Farrell 2

Ireland (3) 13

Try: O'Connell Con: Sexton Pens: Sexton 2

England will go into their home World Cup on the back of a win after they eased past Ireland at Twickenham.

Fine Jonny May and Anthony Watson tries put England 12-3 up before May had a try disallowed for a forward pass.
George Ford took it out to 15-3 but Ireland cut the gap to two points as Paul O'Connell powered over and Johnny Sexton converted and added a penalty.
England looked worried but re-established control and Owen Farrell wrapped up victory with two penalties.
Stuart Lancaster's men start their World Cup campaign back at Twickenham against Fiji on Friday, 18 September, while Ireland face Canada the following day.

England go on the B of the bang

The hosts started in explosive fashion, dominating territory and possession and playing with a pace that Ireland just could not live with.
May, in electric attacking form all afternoon, opened the scoring as he took Ben Youngs' classy pass, blasted through Tommy Bowe and dismissed the tackle of Simon Zebo on his way to the line.
Soon after, Ford's hanging kick gave Watson the chance to win an aerial duel and with Ford converting the first score, England led 12-3.
It should have been all over soon after but Tom Youngs' scoring pass to May was forward, and having that score disallowed seemed to affect England's confidence.

But Ireland have them worried...

Early in the second half Ford did nudge England into a 15-3 lead with a penalty but Sexton immediately replied in kind before iconic Ireland captain O'Connell silenced Twickenham.
The veteran second row bullied his way over from close range and with Sexton converting, England's hopes of going into the World Cup on a winning note looked as though they might suffer a major blow.
They started losing their own scrums, passes failed to go to hand, turnovers began to be conceded and any chances they did create could not be taken.
In the end it was the boot of replacement fly-half Farrell that calmed home nerves and his brace of penalties ensured England will at least take some momentum into the World Cup.
England: Mike Brown (Harlequins); Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby); George Ford (Bath Rugby), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers); Joe Marler (Harlequins), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Geoff Parling, Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Chris Robshaw (capt, Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby).
Replacements: Jamie George (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Sam Burgess (Bath Rugby).
Ireland: Simon Zebo (Munster); Tommy Bowe (Ulster), Jared Payne (Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Dave Kearney (Leinster); Johnny Sexton (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster); Jack McGrath (Leinster), Rory Best (Ulster), Mike Ross (Leinster); Devin Toner (Leinster), Paul O'Connell (Munster) capt; Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Sean O'Brien (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster).
Replacements: Richardt Strauss (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Nathan White (Connacht), Donnacha Ryan (Munster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Darren Cave (Ulster).