Ireland beat England to take Six Nations lead

Ireland defeat England 14-13 at Croke Park to take the outright lead in the championship.

Denis Leamy (second left) of Ireland wrestles with England's Tom Croft during their Six Nations rugby match at Croke Park in Dublin.

DUBLIN // Ireland defeated England 14-13 at Croke Park on Saturday to take the outright lead in the Six Nations championship. After three rounds Ireland, who have not won a grand slam since 1948, are the only unbeaten team in the tournament. The sides were level 3-3 at halftime after Ireland flyhalf Ronan O'Gara's single penalty success from three in an uncharacteristic off-day was matched just before the break by his opposite number Toby Flood.

The Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll kicked a drop goal five minutes into the second half before slipping over for the game's first try 10 minutes later after England lost their prop Phil Vickery to a yellow card. The England fullback Delon Armitage reduced the deficit to five before England suffered their 10th sin binning in four matches when Danny Care's infringement allowed O'Gara to stretch the lead. An Armitage try, converted by replacement Andy Goode, proved too late for the visitors.

*Reuters