• Ireland beat England 27-22 in the Six Nations opener, aiming for a record third consecutive title.
• After trailing 10-5 at halftime, Ireland scored four second-half tries to secure the win.
• England's early lead was built on a debut try from Cadan Murley, but they faltered dramatically after the break.
• Interim head coach Simon Easterby praised Ireland's second-half adjustments that propelled them to victory.

Ireland's journey in the 2025 Six Nations began with a 27-22 victory over England in Dublin, demonstrating resilience as they overcame a halftime deficit. As the reigning champions sought an unprecedented third successive title, they faced an early challenge from England, who took a deserved lead into the break.

England struck first with an impressive debut try from Cadan Murley, showcasing their defensive strategy and tempo under head coach Steve Borthwick. The visitors led 10-5 at halftime, aided by a penalty from Marcus Smith, as they capitalized on their opponent's scoring opportunities missed during the first half. Despite Ireland's territorial dominance, they managed just one try before the halftime whistle through Jamison Gibson-Park, who darted over just before the break, following a defensive lapse from England.

The first half was characterized by tight defense from England, particularly from twin flankers Tom and Ben Curry, who played a vital role in stifling Ireland's attack. However, the dynamics changed dramatically in the second half, with Ireland regaining control. Tries from Bundee Aki, Tadhg Beirne, and a bonus-point score from Dan Sheehan showcased Ireland's attacking prowess, effectively dismantling England's defense and turning the match in their favor.

Despite a late consolation effort from Tom Curry and Tommy Freeman, who enabled England to edge toward a losing bonus point, it was a frustrating result for Borthwick, who noted that England lacked the composure displayed in the first half. “The second half we lost the territory a little bit and we struggled to get out,” said new captain Maro Itoje, reflecting on England's inability to maintain their initial momentum.

Ireland's interim head coach Simon Easterby expressed satisfaction with his team’s resilience and the impact of their game plan after the break. He remarked, “We felt if we did a few things better in the way we were doing things, then we would get the rewards.” With this victory, Ireland sets a solid foundation for the tournament with their sights now on their next match against Scotland.

In contrast, England, now having lost seven of their last nine matches, will face a crucial test next week against the formidable French side, who opened their Six Nations campaign with a commanding win over Wales. The pressure mounts on Borthwick as he seeks to revitalize a team struggling to translate promise into performance.

For more details on the match, visit BBC, AP News, or Reuters.