Ireland find separation at top of the Six Nations table

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell predicted his side’s hardest test for grand slam glory will come in Wales after England were beaten 19-9 in Dublin.

Simon Zebo, centre, and Ireland did not allow Jonathan Joseph, left, Anthony Watson and England slow them. Alex Livesey / Getty Images

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell predicted his side’s hardest test for grand slam glory will come in Wales after England were beaten 19-9 on Sunday in Dublin.

Wales are also in with a chance of the Six Nations title after beating France in Paris on Saturday night and O'Connell expects a huge occasion at the Millennium Stadium on March 14.

“It’s probably going to be our hardest day of the championship, away from home is obviously harder,” O’Connell said after Ireland yesterday equalled their record of 10 consecutive wins at the Aviva Stadium.

“They’ve put themselves in with a chance with a big win over in Paris so it’s going to be incredibly difficult.”

Ireland led 9-3 at the interval against England yesterday with Sexton booting three penalties and England’s only reply being a George Ford drop goal.

Sexton added another penalty before centre Robbie Henshaw claimed the game’s only try after 53 minutes and two late Ford penalties counted for nothing.

“Our first-half discipline was very good and the first 20 minutes of the second half was excellent,” O’Connell said.

“Our out-half [Sexton] kicked very well and got the points over the bar and we played a lot of great rugby to get 19-3 up.

“The setback was a bit disappointing but I’ve got a lot of respect for this England team, to beat them we’re delighted.

“The try gave us massive breathing space. Our discipline got those points on the board and when you can tag a try onto that it’s a long way back for the other team.”

England coach Stuart Lancaster said he was disappointed with his side’s performance and the end of their own grand slam dream.

“We didn’t really fire a shot in the first half,” Lancaster said. “You’ve got to take your opportunities at this level and the penalty count went against us as well.

“Ireland went hard at the breakdown and our discipline has to be better when they’ve got a player like Johnny Sexton who can build a score. Test rugby is decided by small margins and the penalties you give away against top teams hurt you.”

Ireland broke open a slugfest early in the second half as Conor Murray’s box kick found a leaping Henshaw in the right corner of the in-goal area.

The home side took command early, controlling more than 90 per cent of possession in the first quarter. Three times Irish attacks ground to a halt on England’s try line.

England had no solution for Ireland’s solid defence and an aggressive aerial attack directed by Sexton and Murray.

Murray’s lofted kick isolated England full-back Alex Goode, who had position but lost out to a leaping Henshaw. A video review confirmed that the Connacht centre grounded the ball in play to the joy of 55,000 fans.

Sexton drilled a tight conversion from the right to put Ireland up 19-3 with 54 minutes gone, then was substituted for Ian Madigan as a precaution after a head blow.

England then mounted a ferocious fightback and twice got the ball over the Irish try line.

Nick Easter was ruled to have been held up during his 73rd minute lunge across the line, though, and, in the game’s dying possession, Jack Nowell appeared to reach the left corner of the in-goal area, but referee Craig Joubert had ruled that he had received a forward pass.

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