A CONTROVERSIAL disallowed try by Sale Sharks winger Mark Cueto has renewed calls for a wider use of video technology to be used in the game.
Cueto got on the end of a pin-point diagonal kick from team-mate Charlie Hodgson but was ruled offside by the touch judge.
The score would have put England ahead at half time but as it was, Ireland were let off and went on to win.
Coach Andy Robinson said: "From where I was sitting it certainly looked like a try.
"It's a classic example of why video technology should be used."
England produced by far their best performance of the Six Nations campaign but it still wasn't enough to earn them victory.
With Scotland winning yesterday at Murrayfield, the world champions are now in contention for the wooden spoon along with Italy.
Hodgson had a much better day with the boot, landing all his kicks, but it was Irish who won through and stay on course for a winner takes all Grand Slam clash at the Milennium stadium against Wales on the last day of the tournament.
Ireland drew first blood when Ronan O'Gara dropped a goal just minutes after skipper Jason Robinson had raced back to save a certain try.
But just minutes later against the run of play, Martin Corry saw the Irish defence open up in front of him and raced 35 yards to score in front of the posts, giving Charlie Hodgson and easy shot at goal to give England the lead.
Two Ronan O'Gara penalties put the Irish back in front but Hodgson then put the recent criticism of his kicking behind him by taking full advantage of the wind and landing a penalty from the halfway line to restore the England lead.
O'Gara added another drop goal with just minutes of the first period remaining and were lucky to hold on to their half time lead after Cueto's try was disallowed.
After the break Hodgson put England ahead again with a well taken drop goal but then Ireland struck through skipper Brian O'Driscoll after good running from winger Denis Hickey and full back Geordan Murphy.
O'Gara added the conversion but then failed to put the game beyond reach as he missed first a penalty and then a drop goal.
What did you think of England's performance? Have your say.
Tweet
Showing comments 1 to 2 and replies | View All
t murphy, canada (27/02/2005 at 19:47)
james o'donovan, cork, munster (27/02/2005 at 21:12)
How did England win the World Cup? Is this question really necessary? I feel it has been phrased incorrectly. I should really say 'How did Jonny Wilkinson win England the World Cup?' If England did not have Jonny Wilkinson they would not have won the World Cup. It's a well known fact.
I have yet to see England play a game against a top class team without Jonny Wilkinson and win it. There is no way England would not have made the final if Jonny Wilkinson was not playing in the semi final against France.
What was the score again? Oh yes 24-7 to England. And what did the score sheet look like? Penalties: Wilkinson 5, Drop goals: Wilkinson 3, Tries: 0. It was a similar story in the quarter final. A plucky revived Wales out scored England 3 tries to 1 and yet lost. Who scored 23 of England's 28 points? Is there really a need to tell you!
The game against New Zealand in the summer showed all the strengths and all the weakness of the English game. How close did they get to scoring a try? Not once did they look likely to. They are completely reliant on the boot of Jonny Wilkinson - even when they get into the opposition 22 meter line.
If you look at all the top rugby critic's choice of World XV the England team feature once in the backs in the shape of, no prizes for the answer, Jonny Wilkinson. The rest of the backs consist of the men who are known for their running game. People like Brian O'Driscoll, Mils Mulina the top try scorer in the Rugby World Cup. This really proves my point.
I will congratulate England on winning the world cup. Eddie Jones the Aussie Coach has called for young players to focus on their kicking games and blames the Australian Super Twelve free-style open running game for its lack of kicking. He wants Australia to breed their own generation of Jonny Wilkinson's.
Although I have the utmost respect for Wilkinson's dedication the IRB need to do something before kicking starts to dominate the game. More reward should be given to teams that have the flair and ability to cross a teams defensive line, rather than relying on other teams mistakes or drop goals.
I'm sure you watched the 6 nations this year. I am truly sorry England finished 3rd but is it just a coincidence that the year England finished 3rd they didn't have Jonny Wilkinson to get them out of trouble? It s fine when Jonny is there. Give him the ball and he'll slot it through the posts.
But what will happen when he's not around. I feel England have not progressed a jot since the World Cup unlike France who have developed some great young players who will be still around in 8 years time.
After all, the name on the trophy is Webb Ellis. Did he pick the ball up, run with it and put it down over the goal line to score what was known as the first ever try in the history of Rugby Football or did he kick it? Answer me that.