Eddie Jones took another significant step in the rebuilding of England Saturday as a 21-10 victory over champion Ireland at Twickenham kept them on course for a first Six Nations title since 2011 and a possible first Grand Slam since 2003. England had dominated the game but trailed 10-9 after a Conor Murray try early in the second half before well-crafted scores by Anthony Watson and Mike Brown put the hosts in control. Ireland, seeking a third consecutive title, looked underpowered throughout. Even when England went down to 14 men after a yellow card for replacement scrumhalf Danny Care in the last 10 minutes, Ireland never looked likely to find a way back. England, which had already won away in Scotland and Italy, tops the standings on six points, one ahead of Wales. Number eight Billy Vunipola was again a wrecking ball for England and they dominated possession and territory but the nearest either side came to a try was when James Haskell blasted through, only for Ireland skipper Rory Best to hold the ball up. So England turned round 6-3 ahead with two Owen Farrell penalties to one from Johnny Sexton, hoping that having forced Ireland to make almost 100 tackles in the first 40 minutes their dominance would bear fruit. Instead Ireland came out firing and with England down to 14 men after a yellow for Haskell scrumhalf Murray burrowed through for the first try England had conceded in the championship. England struck back and relentless pressure allowed former captain Chris Robshaw to send a pass wide to put Watson over but Farrell missed the conversion. Ireland, hard-hit by injury absences, began to show the effects of their huge defensive efforts and a zipping pass by Farrell sent fullback Brown over in acres of space. Farrell added the extras and England looked set for an easy victory at 21-10 with 18 minutes remaining, though they needed a superb cover tackle by Jack Nowell to prevent Robbie Henshaw scoring in the corner. England next hosts Wales when victory would leave it facing France in Paris with an opportunity to win its first Grand Slam since 2003. Stormers win South Africa's Stormers were victorious in the opening round of Super Rugby Saturday. They won 33-9 over Bulls in Cape Town. Two of the new teams lost their opening games — as expected — with Japan's Sunwolves going down to the Johannesburg-based Lions 26-13 despite making a brave debut in Tokyo. In Port Elizabeth, South Africa, the Southern Kings lost at home to the Sharks 43-8, struggling on their return after a two-season absence.
